Bernard Allen
Ceist:214 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of registered consultants operating in the public and private hospitals in the Eastern Health Board area. [3312/99]
Vol. 500 No. 1
214 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of registered consultants operating in the public and private hospitals in the Eastern Health Board area. [3312/99]
According to figures published by Comhairle na nOspidéal on 1 January 1998, there were 613 approved consultant posts in public hospitals in the Eastern Board region. There are no comprehensive figures for consultants practising in the private sector. This group includes specialists in full-time private practice as well as consultants who have retired from public practice. Some of these may not be in active practice. Data compiled by Comhairle na nOspidéal suggest that there are approximately 150 specialists in private practice in the Eastern Health Board region.