Kevin Humphreys
Question:567. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number and percentage of Irish trained doctors currently working overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53912/13]
View answerTuesday, 17 December 2013
Questions (567)
Written answers
The figures requested by the Deputy are not available. However, the Medical Council's Medical Workforce Intelligence Report, published on 25th July, 2013 provides useful information concerning doctors on the Medical Council's Register in 2012. It noted that 16,392 doctors retained registration with the Medical Council Register, while a further 1,256 doctors entered the register for the first time. On the other hand, 1,419 doctors did not retain registration, representing an exit rate of 8%. These movements resulted in a 3% fall in the number of doctors registered at the end of 2012 compared with 2011. The Council reported that "a relatively high proportion of recent graduates from Irish medical schools are leaving the register". The exit rate was highest amongst those aged 65 years and over, 19.2%; with 6.4% of those aged 25 - 29 and 6.3% of those aged 30 - 34 exiting. However, it also found that doctors who qualified abroad (the 6 world regions averaged 13%) were more likely to exit the register than those who qualified in Ireland (5.8%).
It should be borne in mind that there is a global demand for doctors and that they are a mobile workforce. A range of factors, including opportunities to gain further experience and/or specialist training, the levels of pay available, working conditions generally and other economic factors and social conditions in different countries influence trends in migration.
I want to ensure that the talented NCHD workforce we train are offered rewarding and satisfying career paths here in Ireland. In July this year, I set up a Working Group chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, to carry out a strategic review of the medical training and career structure of NCHDs. The terms of reference of the review include making recommendations aimed at improving graduate retention in the public health system; planning for future service needs; realising maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training.
The Group has submitted its interim report to me and it will be published shortly. The Group is now moving to stage two of its work with a view to submitting its final report to me by June 2014.
I am determined that as part of the overall health reform programme we build a public health system that values the contribution and commitment of trainee doctors. The agreement reached between the HSE and the IMO at the LRC in October on addressing working hours and achieving EWTD compliance specifically encompassed doctor recruitment and retention. It reaffirms the commitment in the Haddington Road Agreement to reviewing the current career structure from Intern to Consultant/Specialist level with the aim of further developing career and training pathways for all grades of NCHD to consultant/specialist level. The objective is the retention of graduates within the public health system and the attraction back to Ireland of such graduates where they have left previously.