Vol. 540 No. 1
297 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to a recent report (details supplied) which indicated that the Midland Health Board has the highest ratio of population to hospital consultant in the country; his views on this report; and his plans to address this problem. [20212/01]
I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. This annual report provides important statistical information on consultant staffing in the public health service. While I am aware that in some locations there is a lower ratio of consultants to population than in other regions, the overall picture points to a significant increase in consultant posts in this country over the last number of years. In 2000 there was an increase of 120, 8.3%, hospital consultant posts in the public hospital service. Indeed the report shows that over the past decade the number of approved posts of hospital consultant has increased by 40% and non-consultant hospital doctor posts are up by 48%.
As the Deputy would be aware the medical manpower forum was established in 1998 to examine medical staffing issues. The report of this forum was presented to Government earlier this year. The Government has noted the recommendations of this report 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 and cover arrangements, team working, etc.
