Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on physician associates; his engagements with other Departments and stakeholders regarding training physician associates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, physician associates are healthcare professionals qualified to practice in collaboration with, and under the supervision of, medical doctors.
In 2015 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland commenced a pilot in Beaumont Hospital, with the recruitment of four qualified physician associates into four specialty surgical units – colorectal, orthopaedic, breast, and vascular – under the supervision of four surgeons in those settings.
Due to the limitation of the pilot being confined to surgical units, and to the fact that for the second year there were just two physician associates involved, it was not possible for the Department to make an informed, evidence based national level determination, regarding the establishment of the grade at that time.
Having sufficient capacity in the health workforce and the appropriate configuration of staff and skill-mix are integral to the delivery of safe and timely health services. The Department is supportive of any initiative which ensures that sufficient professionals are trained, attracted, and retained in the areas where healthcare need is anticipated.
Since the completion of the pilot in Beaumont Hospital, no follow up business case or request to establish the physician associate grade, on a permanent basis, has been received from the HSE by the Department.
