Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
2978. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of the main lead paediatric pain consultant roles in Children’s Health Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39768/21]
View answerIn 2020, funding was provided to CHI to develop services to address the needs of children, adolescents and their families living with complex pain in Ireland. This funding provides for an interdisciplinary service, consisting of consultant with special interest in pain management (1 WTE), administration (1.2 WTE), clinical nurse specialist (1.0 WTE), advanced nurse practitioner (1.2WTE), occupational therapist (1.0 WTE), physiotherapist (1.0 WTE) and psychologist (1.0 WTE).
CHI has advised that all posts are in place except for the consultant position. Recruitment for this post has so far been unsuccessful, and is still ongoing. Having been previously advertised, the post has now been redesigned which it is hoped will assist in attracting suitable candidates. CHI has also advised that a locum consultant (0.5 WTE) is employed on an interim basis until such time as the permanent consultant position is filled.
