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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 4

Written Answers. - Medical Manpower Forum.

Bernard Allen

Question:

103 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the date that the Medical Manpower Forum was set up; the date he received its report; the date he submitted the report to Cabinet; and the provisions of the National Manpower Forum Report which are being implemented. [16386/01]

The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, established the Medical Manpower Forum in May 1998. The forum was established to facilitate the development of a medical manpower policy relating to improved service delivery for patients in hospitals and enhanced training and career structures for doctors.

I received the final draft of the report of the Medical Manpower Forum following the final meeting of the forum on 28 November 2000. The report of the Medical Manpower Forum was brought to Government with the report on the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors on 27 March 2001 for the consideration of the Government.

In regard to medical manpower, the Government has noted the recommendations in relation to a consultant delivered public hospital service and will consider these proposals again in the light of the results obtained from a costing study on the matter which is also to be undertaken by the newly established national task force on medical manpower. The Government has also approved the commencement of negotiations with the relevant parties on core issues arising from the report, including flexibility cover arrangements, teamworking, etc.

The report of the forum on medical manpower sets out proposals for the restructuring of the medical workforce both in the context of changed work patterns and a consultant delivered service. The next stage is to quantify the costs, following which the Government will reconsider the proposals. A detailed quantification of the resource implications will now be undertaken. This assessment will form part of the functions of the national task force.

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