asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the dangers to health arising from his recent directive to health boards on staffing, and in view of the inevitable increases in waiting lists that will result from understaffing as a result of the directive, he will now withdraw the directive and replace it with a more rational instruction, which can be complied with, without dangers to health; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health Boards Staffing.
28.
I do not accept the view that any dangers to health have arisen from the effects of my instructions to health boards and voluntary hospitals.
In fact all of my instructions have been accompanied by guidelines and ameliorating conditions which have ensured that the contrary is the position. For example, in relation to the embargo I have arranged for health agencies to have a sufficient amount of flexibility to enable them to keep essential services operational and essential posts filled in the interests of patient care.
I have enjoined on health agencies the need to provide for priority services, to protect services for the aged and the handicapped and in, for example, the making of allocations I have fully protected the organisations which cater for the mentally handicapped.