Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Accident and Emergency Services.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

324 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the number, names and locations of hospitals which will lose accident and emergency training recognition under the new standards of the regulating body. [2526/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

In June 2002, the Irish surgical postgraduate training committee – ISPTC – of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland – RCSI – published guidelines for the recognition of training posts in accident and emergency departments of acute hospitals providing such services. These guidelines state that:

The [Accident and Emergency] Department must be under the clinical and administrative control of one or more Emergency Medicine Consultants devoting the whole or major part (eight or greater sessions) of their clinical time to the day to day supervision and training of the junior medical staff.

The RCSI has indicated that these guidelines represent an ideal situation and is willing to meet with service providers to agree interim arrangements which will allow hospitals to continue to provide accident and emergency services whilst arrangements are being put in place to meet the standards required. Discussions on the guidelines are also taking place between Comhairle na nOspidéal, the Medical Council and the RCSI.

Question No. 325 answered with Question No. 298.