Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
810. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the completion of analysis of the various cohorts of consultants not on the Medical Council specialist register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/18]
View answer811. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the known level of compliance with the HSE consultants qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25216/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 810 and 811 together.
I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy with the specific details sought. The HSE policy in respect of Consultant Appointments, both permanent and temporary, requires that they are on the relevant Specialist Register. This rule is in place since March 2008.
The HSE has advised my Department that as of 11 May 2018, 121 doctors who were not on the specialist register were employed in consultant roles. 51 of these were in post before the introduction of the requirement to be registered in the specialist division. 70 consultants took up post after that date.
The HSE has put in place a detailed process to manage consultants who are not on the Specialist Register. In July 2017 the HSE issued clear instructions to all hospitals to ensure:-
(i) all consultants not on the Specialist Register are identified, using the National Doctors Training and Planning DIME database,
(ii) that a risk mitigation plan is put in place for each post where the appointee does not hold the relevant qualifications,
(iii) where necessary, this plan should set up access to an appropriate arrangement for senior clinical oversight as required, and
(iv) the Hospital Groups provide an assurance to the appropriate National Service Director that the required relevant supervisory supports are in place for those Consultants not on the Specialist Register.
Hospitals have been required by the HSE to identify those Consultants engaged prior to March 2008 who do not hold Specialist Division registration and to liaise with National Doctors Training and Planning to support them in achieving registration. The HSE will bear the cost of applications to the Medical Council in these cases.
