Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 3

Written Answers - Medical Manpower Forum.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

202 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the draft interim report of the Medical Mentor Forum; and the proposals, if any, he has regarding the recommendations on the reorganisation of non-consultant hospital doctor responsibilities and the major change to consultant work practices. [18577/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I assume that the Deputy is referring to the Medical Manpower Forum.

I established the Medical Manpower Forum for the benefit of patients and doctors. The forum has recently produced a draft interim report which outlines the following extensive aims; to ensure that high quality and safe hospital services are available to patients at all times; to ensure that a fully trained doctor is available to all hospital patients as necessary at all times; to ensure that there are sufficient doctors with appropriate training and expertise employed in relevant specialties and disciplines to meet the needs of the patients in the public hospital medi cal system at any given time; to provide for comprehensive teaching, training and research opportunities for public hospital doctors to continue to reach and maintain appropriate standards of professional competence; to recognise the important role played by hospitals in the provision of training for primary care and the need to continue and accommodate such training; to ensure a professionally satisfying career structure which is capable of attracting and retaining sufficient doctors to meet the ongoing needs of the hospital medical system; to develop flexible training, career and employment structures which meet the needs of both male and female doctors; to facilitate and support continuing medical education so as to keep abreast of developments and maintain competence; and to develop an appropriate employment and superannuation structure designed to support change and flexibility.

One of the key recommendations is the creation of a new consultant grade to meet the serious gap in hospital medical staffing. The new consultant will be a fully qualified, fully trained and experienced doctor, with full clinical autonomy. While the main purpose of the Medical Manpower Forum is to improve hospital services for patients, major benefits will accrue to hospital doctors including changed work practices, greater career opportunities and improved teaching and training.