Vol. 577 No. 3
417 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason agency doctors established contracts with the Midland Area Health Board which in effect displaces existing locum doctors who have traditionally provided this service; if his attention has been drawn to the growth of this trend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30738/03]
The question of recruitment and retention of medical personnel by any health agency is a matter for that agency in the first instance. It is normal procedure to recruit replacement staff as an alternative to long-term reliance on locum cover. I have been assured by the Midland Health Board that doctors who are recruited in this manner do not replace existing locums and that such recruitment is only undertaken when the board is unable to source suitable doctors through direct advertising.
