Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
63
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent to which the recommendations of the Irish Institute of Orthopaedic Surgeons in relation to consultants appointments have been met; the reasons for the shortfall, if any, in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24230/98]
Richard Bruton
Ceist:
64
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the extent to which clustering of consultants in a centralised location has been found to increase throughput of elective cases per surgeon; and the plans, if any, he has for further development of clusters in appropriate specialities.
[24231/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
There are presently 61 consultant orthopaedic surgeon posts in the public hospital system, which is a ratio of 1 per 59,000 population. The number of posts has more than doubled over the last 20 years. I understand that in 1989 the Institute of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommended a short-term ratio of one consultant orthopaedic surgeon per 65,000 population to improve gradually to a ratio of one per 50,000, namely, about 70 consultant posts. The institute is now recommending a ratio of one per 42,000 population.
Orthopaedic surgery services have been developed on an ongoing basis over the years as the increase in the number of consultant posts illustrates. A regional service exists in each health board area. In the context of competing priorities at health board level and as resources allow this process of ongoing development will continue in future years. The Government's strategy for the provision of acute hospital services generally is based on the principles of regional self-sufficiency; equity of access; and the redressing of regional imbalances.
Towards implementing this strategy, a network of general and local hospitals is being developed throughout the country, which will enable the continuation of the provision of high quality hospital services for general medical and surgical facilities. Part of this development is the establishment of improved, co-ordinated working arrangements between hospitals in individual health board areas, primarily through the establishment of joint departments and joint appointments, designed to respond to the acute hospital needs of local populations and to optimise the effectiveness of the resources allocated. The network of general and local hospitals is supplemented by larger regional hospitals and by a small number of highly specialised tertiary or supra-regional units, serving much wider catchment areas.
Significant investment has been made in recent years in the development of the acute hospital infrastructure and the provision of specialities to meet local needs and I intend to continue with this, with particular reference to regional self-sufficiency and equity of access. Toward this end, I am investing an increased level of funding in capital developments in the health services in the current capital programme, a large proportion of which is going towards the development of acute hospitals. The capital programme for the next two years will amount to £155 million in 1999 and £165 million in 2000. Continued implementation of the cancer strategy and the cardio-vascular strategy will also result in the provision of critical services at local level, thus obviating the need for persons to travel long distances to receive treatment outside their regions.
