asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement regarding the growing crisis in many county hospitals where difficulties are being experienced in recruiting consultant staff in anaesthetics.
Written Answers. - County Hospital Consultant Staffs.
222.
I am aware of difficulties being experienced in the recruitment of consultant anaesthetists to small general hospitals located outside the major urban centres. Posts in the larger hospitals are inherently more attractive for most young anaesthetists from professional and other viewpoints.
My Department has had a number of discussions with Comhairle na nOspidéal and the Faculty of Anaesthetists concerning this matter. Comhairle is the body with statutory responsibility for the regulation of the number and type of appointments of consultant medical staffs. Comhairle has examined this problem in some detail and has made considerable efforts to restructure consultant anaesthetist posts in smaller units in order to make them more viable and attractive to prospective candidates. The matter is being kept under review.