andDr. O'Connell asked the Minister for Health what steps, if any, have been taken to investigate the problem of post graduate education and training in the Republic; and what, if any representative bodies have been consulted about this problem.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Post Graduate Medical Education.
3.
Dr. Browne, Mr. M. O'Leary
I presume the question relates to post graduate medical education and training and on this assumption I would, first of all, wish to refer the Deputies to my reply to a previous question on 16th December last.
I mentioned then the need for careful study and wide consultation about the implications of the Todd Report relating to post graduate medical education. I said, among other things, that the report was being studied and that preliminary consultations had been initiated.
It is still too early for detailed consultations but my Department has held preliminary discussions, for example, with the deans of the various medical faculties. We have had contacts with the Medical Registration Council and the Irish Medical Association and the Royal College of Surgeons about this matter. I was happy to welcome the recent formation of a committee of pathologists with whom we hope to maintain liaison about the report and I have promised detailed consultation with these later. In addition medical officers of my Department have attended meetings of professional bodies at which post graduate medical education was discussed.
May I add that I was glad personally to avail of the opportunity of an address to the Biological Society of the Royal College of Surgeons to help to stimulate even further the growing interest in the Todd Report.
The Minister has omitted the Irish Medical Union, I think he referred only to the Irish Medical Association. I presume there is no objection to consulting with the Union as well, is there?
If we regard the Medical Union as having a relevant interest we generally consult with them.
I am sure the Minister appreciates the urgency of the problem arising out of the Todd Report and the proposals of the working committee advising the Ministry of Health in Britain. Is he aware that, in order to be able to retain reciprocity, because we qualify far too many doctors for our own needs, we must alter our post-graduate training to meet the needs of the British post-graduate proposals or otherwise we may lose that reciprocity? Has the Minister any idea when he will be able to publish the report on his consultations with these bodies?
Mr. Richard Crossman, the Minister in charge in Britain, said in a recent speech that, because it will take until May or June for the profession to consider all the implications and discuss them with interested bodies, it will be too late to introduce any Bill in this Parliamentary session to implement the recommendations of the Todd Report. We shall have to keep this matter in mind and make quite sure that, when decisions are taken, our consultants and doctors are able to work reciprocally in Britain.