Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1819. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet representatives of the RCSI hospital doctor retention and motivation project, which has researched doctor retention and working conditions in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21115/22]
View answerThe Hospital Doctor Retention and Motivation Project is a multi-year research project funded by the Health Research Board. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods and fieldwork in Ireland and Australia, it endeavours to generate information on doctor retention policy and practice in the Irish health system.
Issues highlighted in the HDRM Project papers as factors influencing doctors to emigrate, include a lack of access to training and career progression in the Irish health system, demanding expectations in respect of rosters/working hours/location of employment, leading to a poor work-life balance resulting in a deterioration in wellbeing.
My department has worked closely with the HSE on workforce policy, to produce a suite of initiatives aimed at increasing opportunities for training and career progression in the Irish Health system and to alleviate concerns in respect of issues raised by trainee doctors.
The HSE NDTP Office is in the initial stages of work regarding doctors who completed an internship in Ireland. Early and provisional data shows that a high percentage of medical interns who graduate leave Ireland for at least one year. However, the data shows that 82% of interns who commenced one year intern training in July 2015 subsequently commenced a Basic Specialist Training (BST) or General Practice (GP) training programme in subsequent years (2016-2021). A small number of the 2015 cohort also remain in the Irish health system either in service grade posts or employed within the private healthcare sector.
The recruitment and retention of healthcare workers including doctors is a key priority for me and the Government. Retention efforts by the HSE both nationally and locally are in place with significant career development and progression and educational/development opportunities being offered. The Department is also an active partner in the development of the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies’ Strategic Framework 2021-2030, which addresses a number of concerns raised by trainee doctors and cited as reasons for emigration.
I am due to meet Dr Humphries in May to discuss the work of this group and how it may inform workforce planning policy going forward.
