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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1972

Vol. 264 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radiologists Shortage.

2.

asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) about the shortage of radiologists; the effect such shortage is having on the operation of the health services; and his Department's proposals to rectify this shortage.

I have seen the report referred to.

I am fully aware that there is a shortage of radiologists in health board hospitals and I am most anxious to remedy this shortage which can have the serious effect of delaying unduly the examination and treatment of patients and their discharge from these hospitals. The fact that a shortage of this type of medical specialist is not confined to this country does not lessen my anxiety.

On the initiative of my Department, a scheme for the training of radiologists was established here four years ago in co-operation with the faculty of radiologists and a number of voluntary hospitals. I am hopeful that the output of qualified radiologists from this scheme will ease our recruitment problem and that the position will be further improved as a result of current negotiations between health boards and representatives of radiologists involving the grant of private practice to holders of posts in our local hospitals.

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