Vol. 545 No. 5
153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will put in place measures to ensure the adequate availability of surgical, medical and nursing staff in all hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31169/01]
The staffing of hospitals is primarily a matter for the health boards and voluntary hospitals. Hospitals are funded and staffed to perform a certain level of activity. However, in recent times staff shortages have arisen for many reasons, not least have been the significant developments in the health service following the additional fund ing which has become available as a result of the expansion in the economy. New measures have been and continue to be adopted by hospitals to fill all vacancies and I am confident that much progress has been achieved in this area. However, hospitals are continuously striving to fill all vacancies.
