Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020
803. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations on the new public health consultant contract; the timeline for the introduction of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37982/20]
View answerConsultant status for public health specialists under a new public health framework was recommended in the Crowe Horwath Report on the Specialty published in December 2018. It is also consistent with the role envisaged for the specialists in Slaintecare and Professor Scally’s Report on the National Screening Service ('CervicalCheck').
I, my Department and the HSE are committed to the early introduction of a new framework for public healthcare, as provided for in the Programme for Government. This will involve the establishment of a consultant-led public health model in line with the Crowe Horwath Report on the Specialty. My Department in conjunction with the HSE have completed a substantial amount of work on a detailed framework for the future public health model that includes consultant level roles. A related business case seeking consultant status has now been submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for early consideration.
It is intended that this will support constructive engagement with the IMO on the matter.
