Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
1108. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent accusations that the Health Service Executive does not understand or care about education and research in the medical field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48101/12]
View answerI am not aware of the recent accusations referred to by Deputy Spring, however I would certainly strongly refute the suggestion that the HSE does not understand or care about education and research in the medical field.
Medical education and training is a priority for the HSE and the delivery of high quality, internationally recognised training represents a strategic resource for the HSE and the wider public health system.
In this context, health service employers have repeatedly emphasised the central role played by NCHDs in the provision of on-site 24/7 medical care; and reiterated that NCHD access to high quality postgraduate medical education and training is essential to patient safety and progress towards a Consultant-provided service.
Health service employers are very committed to ensuring that: a) New working arrangements improve the flexible delivery of patient care while supporting NCHD participation in appropriate education and training. The key objective is to ensure safe service delivery to patients based on safe work patterns for doctors; b) Rostering arrangements provide for a safe level of medical cover, allow for sufficient handover time, ensure that training can be delivered satisfactorily, and meet service needs and EWTD requirements while allowing NCHDs a satisfactory quality of life; c) Medical education and training should receive due priority in rostering arrangements; d) Training principles agreed by the employers, the IMO and the training bodies in 2004 are incorporated in to rosters; e) A Consultant-provided service is introduced with increased promotional opportunities for NCHDs currently in training.
The Medical Practitioners Act 2007 has resulted in meaningful and very positive changes in the way doctors are registered and the regulation of medical education and training.
In relation to undergraduate training, the HSE has a statutory responsibility to facilitate the training of medical students - which it supports via a concord agreed with the University Medical Schools, a liaison group to coordinate all clinical placements and the establishment of 24 senior Academic Clinician posts in Medical Schools, jointly funded by the HSE and the Higher Education Authority.
Regarding postgraduate training, the HSE also plays a very significant role in postgraduate medical education and training in conjunction with the Medical Council and 13 postgraduate training bodies.
Since taking office, I have spoken many times on health research. I passionately believe in the value of health research leading to informed action, be that for the individual patient or the service more generally. Knowledge derived from research is paramount in providing the evidence base for better health policies and systems; systems that underpin effective and efficient health service provision. Such evidence will be a key input to the creation of the fairer, more efficient health system that the Irish Government is seeking to create in this country for all of our citizens.
