Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Question:594. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a representation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61935/22]
View answerTuesday, 13 December 2022
Questions (594)
Written answers
The issues raised in the representation are outside the remit of the HSE. Professional exams are not managed by the HSE. Recruitment to postgraduate training programmes fall under the remit of the postgraduate training bodies.
The number of medical intern places has increased by 120 since 2019 to 854, providing more opportunities to all medical school graduates. In relation to the July 2022/3 intern year, all eligible candidates who applied were offered an intern post for the July 2022 training year.
We have been informed by the HSE that the Medical Schools inform international medical students prior to enrolling that intern places are not part of the undergraduate curriculum. Potential students are also informed that while internship is the first step in postgraduate training, the intern posts are employment posts and completion of the medical degree in Ireland does not guarantee an employment post with the HSE.
Changes to the Medical Practitioners Act implemented in 2020 have removed the barrier of the requirement for a recognised internship to apply for postgraduate training programmes. Following this amendment, a number of doctors are now eligible to apply to postgraduate training programmes where previously they were not.
Changes to the application of EEA community preference for the allocation to postgraduate training programmes were agreed in Autumn 2021. This change has meant that, following competitive interview, appointable candidates who hold a Stamp 4, along with EEA candidates, will be allocated training in the positions in the first instance following competitive interview.
Selection criteria for postgraduate training programmes, including eligibility and shortlisting criteria, are published on the relevant training body website in advance of the opening of schemes applications (including weighting for various elements of the selection process and marking system for the various elements of the selection process described). Training bodies provide interview feedback to facilitate feedback to applicants to national training programmes.
All postgraduate training bodies are required to apply the principles of the Code of Practice for Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service. The Code sets out the principles to be observed in respect of both external and internal appointments to positions in the Health Service Executive. The code is available at www.cpsa.ie/en/Codes-of-Practice/
The average growth rate per year over the last five years of the total number of Training NCHDs is 5.5%. This equates to 24% more NCHDs in training (including interns) in 2021 compared to 2017. Continued growth for the postgraduate training programmes is planned which will provide more opportunities for all doctors.
It is also worth noting the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Body postgraduate training strategy specifically outlines a key focus over the duration of this Strategic Framework will be the enhancement of organisational enablers to support diversity, inclusion and equity within postgraduate training with the objective to design, develop and implement a Forum Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for Training. Further information can be found at www.theforum.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Strategy-22-10.pdf
Further information on the HSE equality, diversity and inclusion policies can be found at: healthservice.hse.ie/staff/procedures-guidelines/diversity-equality-and-inclusion/