Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2019
72. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health if the recruitment process to replace the retiring cardiologist serving Sligo University Hospital can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27748/19]
View answerPursuant to the Health Acts, the Consultants division of National Doctors Training and Planning Unit, HSE, is responsible for the regulation of the number and type of medical consultant posts engaged in the provision of public services. All applications for Consultant posts should be made using the Consultant Application Portal Module in the Doctors Integrated Medical System (DIME). Where a post is vacant, alternative arrangements are usually made to support service delivery.
The HSE has advised that there are currently two Consultant Cardiologists employed in Sligo University Hospital, one permanent staff member and one temporary staff member. An application has been submitted to fill a retirement post in this service. Once approval is received for this post, Saolta University Health Care Group will advertise the two Consultant posts for the Cardiology service.
With regard to national cardiac services, the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is ongoing. The aim of the Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive through establishing the requirements for an appropriate configuration of specialist cardiac services throughout Ireland.
While much work has been completed in relation to informing the optimal configuration of adult cardiac services, some significant and important work remains outstanding. In order to allow this work to be completed, the work of the Steering Group will continue through the summer months. I am advised by the Steering Group that it will be in a position to confirm a completion date this September.
