asked the Minister for Health the number of posts of district medical officers at present filled by temporary appointees; and if, having regard to the worsening position of doctor availability, particularly in rural areas, he will state what steps he will take as a matter of urgency to deal with the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - District Medical Officers Posts.
17.
The number of dispensary districts served by district medical officers on a temporary basis is 225. There are 450 permanent DMOs.
With regard to the second part of the question, the only doctors available for temporary appointments in a number of dispensary districts reside outside the boundaries of the districts they serve. I realise that in some cases these arrangements may not be satisfactory for patients living at a distance from the temporary district medical officer appointed for their dispensary district. This situation will be improved under the proposed new general medical service with choice of doctor when dispensary district boundaries will disappear and eligible persons will be able to turn to the nearest doctor participating in the service. Meanwhile, in the hope that the conditions of permanent appointments may prove more attractive than temporary appointments, the Local Appointments Commission has been requested to hold further competitions for permanent district medical officer appointments in a number of districts where the making of new permanent appointments will not create difficulty for the operation of the new service with choice of doctor. It is expected that a competition for 18 posts will be advertised soon by the commission.
18.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is no permanent medical officer in Ferbane, Moneygall, Kinnitty, County Offaly and Ballinakill, County Laois; and what action he proposes to take in this matter, in view of the serious position of those resident in the area.
I am aware that there are not permanent district medical officers in two of the areas mentioned, i.e., Shinrone-Moneygall and Ballinakill. No further permanent district medical officer appointments are being made in districts such as these two where the number of doctors who are available within a reasonable distance indicates that a choice of doctor scheme would operate satisfactorily for the areas when the proposed new general medical service is introduced. In such districts local authorities would not be justified in making new appointments on a permanent basis at this stage.
Meanwhile, in the Shinrone and Ballinakill districts, a service is being provided by doctors from adjoining areas. While the temporary arrangements may not be fully satisfactory for all parts of the dispensary districts, the situation should improve when the new service, removing existing dispensary boundaries and giving the maximum choice of doctor, comes into operation.
There are permanent district medical officers in the other two dispensary districts mentioned, i.e,, Ferbane and Kinnitty.