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Consultancy Contracts

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2020

Thursday, 17 December 2020

Questions (564)

Colm Burke

Question:

564. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to implementing targeted measures to recruit and retain hospital consultants across all specialties to increase the number of consultant posts in line with the recommended ratios of the national clinical programmes and the postgraduate training bodies and to address the shortage of hospital consultants in Ireland in comparison to its European counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44306/20]

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Written answers

'Demand for Medical Consultants and Specialists to 2028 and the Training Pipeline to Meet Demand', the Report published by National Doctors Training and Planning Unit, HSE, this year incorporated the views of key stakeholders, including the National Clinical Programmes and the Postgraduate Training Bodies. It identified significant shortfalls in the ratio of consultants to population across specialties and the numbers required to meet these, taking account of current stakeholder perspectives and the earlier Hanly Report 's recommendations.

The Report recognises that Sláintecare gives an opportunity to work towards a more integrated, planned and sustainable workforce and the demand estimates in the Report will allow for better planning to meet future needs.

It has been recognised for many years that it is necessary to increase the ratio of consultants to population across specialties to move to a consultant delivered service. Sláintecare identified the need to increase consultant capacity and for workforce planning and the Government is committed to annual increases in consultant numbers in the years ahead, building on increases to-date and addressing the shortfalls identified in the Report.

In the 12 months to the end of October 2020 consultant numbers increased by 225 whole time equivalents to 3,456 and over the past 5 years numbers have increased by 735 (wte's). The Government is also committed to the introduction of the Sláintecare Consultant Contract early next year and to making this as attractive as possible to support future recruitment and retention.

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