Hospital Staff Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (1025, 1101, 1102)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

1025. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason the salary offered in the urologist position for Temple Street Hospital is below the normal salary for these positions at €109,000; when the position is filled the reason the urologist will be working half the time in Temple Street and half the time in Crumlin; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this may be making it difficult for the position to be filled and that it would impact on the quality of services for children with spina bifida and other health conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45633/13]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1101. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if reports in the press are correct that the urologist post for Temple Street Hospital is being advertised for €109K; his views on whether this is proving to be an obstacle for prospective candidates; the measures that will be taken to make the post more desirable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46157/13]

Billy Kelleher

Question:

1102. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is true that the successful candidate for Urologist at Temple Street Hospital will have to divide their time 50/50 between Temple St and Crumlin; his views on whether this is best use of a badly needed specialist at Temple Street Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46158/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1025, 1101 and 1102 together.

The Children's University Hospital, Temple Street is the national tertiary care centre for spina bifida and hydrocephalus. All infants born in Ireland with spina bifida are transferred to Temple Street after birth for ongoing neonatal management. Children with spina bifida are seen by a multidisciplinary team at Temple Street which includes a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in spina bifida, a spina bifida nurse specialist and neurosurgery input. It is intended to recruit a consultant urologist in order to ensure dedicated urology input. A recruitment process took place in 2009/2010 and again in 2012/2013. As neither was successful, a new recruitment process is now in train and I am advised that the HSE is hopeful that this new recruitment process will result in a suitable candidate taking up the post.

In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputies, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly in these matters.