There are currently 3,209 NCHDs employed within the Irish public health service. The latest projections indicate that 3,164 – 98.6% – of these posts throughout the country will be filled on 1 July this year. This leaves 45 – 1.4% – of NCHD posts remaining to be filled. There is no evidence to indicate that certain specialties are experiencing particular difficulties. I am not aware of any particular difficulties in filling hospital consultant posts.
The Medical Manpower Forum was established to examine and address medical staffing difficulties. The Government has noted the recommendations of the report of this forum in relation to a consultant-delivered public hospital service and will consider these proposals again in the light of the results obtained from a costing study on the matter which is to be undertaken by a national task force on medical manpower, the establishment of which has been approved by the Government. The Government has also approved the commencement of negotiations with the relevant parties on core issues arising from the report, including flexibility-cover arrangements, teamworking etc.
The report of the Forum on Medical Manpower sets out proposals for the re-structuring of the medical workforce both in the context of changed work patterns and a consultant delivered service. The next stage is to quantify the costs, following which the Government will reconsider the proposals. A detailed quantification of the resource implications will now be undertaken. This assessment will form part of the functions of the national task force.
With regard to nursing vacancies the Health Service Employers Agency – HSEA – undertook a survey on 31 January 2001. The survey found that shortages are largely a difficulty in the greater Dublin area. The total number of nursing vacancies reported was 1,315. When account is taken of the service of agency nurses – 423 per day – and overtime working, equivalent to 592 nurses per day, the net vacancy situation pertaining at 31 January 2001 stands at 300. The number of nursing vacancies existing nationally on 30 September 2000 had fallen by 5% by 31 January 2001. The HSEA is finalising a survey in respect of the position at the end of April 2001. This survey is expected to show a further improvement in the position. Particular difficulty is being experienced in certain specialist areas including midwifery. I took this into account when announcing a major new recruitment and retention initiative, costing in excess of £5 million on 29 November 2000.
A new scheme of flexible working arrangements for nurses and midwives in the public health service came into operation on 1 February 2001. Under the scheme, individual nurses and midwives may apply to work between eight and 39 hours per week on a permanent part-time basis.