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Hospital Staff Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2012

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Questions (194)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

194. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied regarding the availability of an adequate supply of junior hospital doctors in 2013, 2014 and thereafter; the extent to which this supply will relate to the number of doctors qualifying in each of the years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57324/12]

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Written answers

Under the provisions of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 it is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, in co-operation with the medical training bodies and after consultation with the Higher Education Authority, to undertake appropriate medical practitioner workforce planning for the purpose of meeting specialist medical staffing and training needs of the health service on an ongoing basis. It must also assess on an annual basis the number of intern training posts and the number and type of specialist medical training posts required by the health service.

In 2006 the Government agreed a programme of reform of medical education and training which resulted in a significant increase in the intake of Irish and EU medical students with the objective of achieving self-sufficiency in terms of medical staffing.

In July 2012 there were 572 medical intern posts available in Ireland, an increase of almost 70 posts since 2007. The intern year is recognized as the first year of postgraduate training. It is anticipated that in 2013 a further increase in intern places will be required to cater for the number of doctors graduating from medical schools in that year. The HSE in co-operation with my Department is developing a strategy to cater for next year's intake of interns.

I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in regard to their assessment of the number of junior hospital doctors required in the future.

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