Vol. 399 No. 7
5 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of anaesthetists at Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry; and if he will sanction the appointment of three junior anaesthetists which has been recommended by his Department's medical assessors.
In line with current personnel policy, health agencies generally, including the Southern Health Board, have autonomy to make appointments up to a given number without my Department's approval subject to certain restrictions, including the need to operate within available financial resources.
In circumstances where my Department's approval to staffing measures is required, a monthly reporting mechanism exists to allow agencies to bring forward such proposals. At present there are no such proposals before my Department in respect of anaesthetic staffing at Tralee General Hospital.
Is the Minister aware of the report by the medical assessor who was sent to Tralee General Hospital by the Southern Health Board which recommended the appointment of three non-consultant hospital doctors for this department?
I am aware of that report which was forwarded to the Southern Health Board——
Is the Minister further aware that at present four consultants have to cover all the cases at Tralee General Hospital and if two emergencies occur simultaneously at night there is only one consultant available to deal with them? This is not desirable. Is he also aware that when the services for ENT operations were provided at Tralee General Hospital increased cover was promised but it has not been forthcoming to date? Finally, is he aware of the stress being caused to the four consultants at the hospital — two are permanent and two are locums — who have to operate——
This is becoming a very long question. Let us have finality.
Will the Minister address these points?
The Deputy has made his point.
I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy, which has been forwarded to the Southern Health Board. As I said in my reply, it is primarily a matter for the Southern Health Board to determine the staff they require and there are no proposals before my Department at present in respect of anaesthetic staffing at Tralee General Hospital. I am also unaware of any promise to increase the number of staff in Tralee General Hospital. I do not know where that promise originated — it certainly did not originate in the Department of Health and my information is that it did not originate in the Southern Health Board.
Given that a report has been made by the Southern Health Board team who visited Tralee General Hospital some months ago and that lives are being placed at risk due to a shortage of consultant anaesthetists, is the Minister prepared to take some action in this regard? If a request is forwarded to him by the Southern Health Board will he take action in relation to additional appointments?
I will raise the matter with the Southern Health Board and discuss it with them.
The Minister should take into consideration the fact that the population of County Kerry almost doubles during the summer period due to the number of tourists.
As I have said, the statutory responsibility in this area lies with the Southern Health Board and I do not have——
The Minister does not have any money.
——the statutory power to override the Southern Health Board in this regard. However, I will bring the Deputy's point, which I am sure is unnecessary, to the attention of the Southern Health Board.
With regard to the speciality of anaesthetists, is the Minister aware that there is a national shortage of such specialists in a number of hospitals? Would the Minister consider allowing non-EC doctors to be appointed to these posts?
Sorry, Deputy Yates. Question No. 5 deals specifically with Tralee General Hospital.
It deals with anaesthetists.
I cannot and will not allow an extension on a national basis. Sorry, Deputy Yates.
There is an underlying national problem in this area; these specialists cannot be recruited.
I am calling Question No. 6.
