Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
397 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will be appointing new consultants at St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, in 2004 in view of the European Working Time Directive and the reduction of junior hospital doctors at that particular hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8910/04]
View answer398 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when a third paediatrician will be appointed to St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8911/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 398 together.
The provision of hospital services, including the appointment of staff, at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. The board has submitted an application to my Department for approval of a third consultant paediatrician at St. Luke's Hospital. Funding for this post will be considered in the context of available resources.
As part of ongoing measures to achieve the required reductions in the average weekly on-site working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, each hospital has been asked to map out the potential for reducing hours, the measures that could be taken to reduce hours and any associated resource requirements. It should be noted however, that the Hanly report points to change in work practices rather than the appointment of large numbers of additional consultants as the key means of reducing NCHD hours by 1 August 2004.
