Bernard Allen
Question:289 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he has taken to deal with the growing problem of medical staff shortages. [16562/01]
Written Answers. - Medical Staff Shortages.
In general there are no difficulties in filling vacancies for consultant posts. The most recent figures on the level of vacancies for non-consultant hospital doctors in the public hospital service indicate that approximately 1% of posts are currently vacant. Current indications do not suggest that there will be any substantial increase in vacancies on 1 July this year. A national monitoring group has been established to keep the position pertaining to NCHD vacancies under review.
This Department has been involved in a number of initiatives to improve recruitment and retention of NCHDs in the public health service. The Department, the Health Service Employers Agency and the Irish Medical Organisation have negotiated a substantial agreement for improved terms and conditions for NCHDs. Legislation was passed in 2000 which amended the medical practitioners Act to allow for the temporary registration of doctors to be extended from five to seven years. A recruitment drive in India and Pakistan involving this Department, the faculty of anaesthetists, the Medical Council and the health boards took place last year to encourage doctors in those countries to come to Ireland for practical training. More than 50 doctors specialising in anaesthesia have taken up posts in Ireland as a result of this initiative.
These measures have been helpful in retaining NCHDs who are already in the health service and have also attracted more doctors to work in our hospitals. The report of the forum on medical manpower and the report on NCHD working hours have recently been considered by Government and published. The Government has noted their recommendations and decided to establish a national task force to quantify the resource implications and costs arising from both reports.