The current number of approved hospital consultant posts is not immediately to hand in my Department. I have asked Comhairle na nOspidéal to provide me with this information in relation to both filled and vacant posts and on receipt of this information I will forward it to the Deputy. Figures compiled by Comhairle na nOspidéal indicate that between 1997 and 2000 there has been an increase of 266 new consultant posts.
In relation to accident and emergency consultant posts, I assume the Deputy is referring to my initiative to help alleviate service pressures and to maintain services to patients in the acute hospital sector. The Deputy will be aware that I provided funding of £32 million for this initiative as part of phase one of the national review of bed capacity. The investment package was targeted at a number of key service areas, including the recruitment of an additional 29 accident and emergency consultants and 15 consultant anaesthetists.
I would like to point out that it typically takes over 12 months to complete recruitment of a consultant on a permanent basis. In the circumstances, and with a view to increasing as soon as possible the number of consultants working in accident and emergency departments and in anaesthetics, it was agreed with Comhairle na nOspidéal that the additional appointments in these key areas would initially be made on a temporary basis. My Department has been advised by the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority that to date, 19 accident and emergency consultants and 12 consultant anaesthetists have been appointed, have been offered, or are being offered, temporary contracts on foot of the decision to recruit additional consultants. It is evident from the above that the initiative has reduced the long lead-in time normally associated with the recruitment of additional consultants. I look forward to continuing progress in these areas over the coming months.
In response to the Deputy's request for information on the average costs associated with the appointment of a consultant – including support staff and facilities – it is very difficult to provide an accurate average cost as each post has its own unique requirements. The number of support staff and the level and type of facilities per consultant will vary depending on many factors including the consultant's speciality, the number of consultants already in post, the number of support staff already in place, and the type and size of the hospital etc. I am not aware of a specific figure for new consultant posts being proposed by medical organisations. However, I am aware of media reports quoting a requirement for 1,000 new posts. Both the Irish Hospital Consultants Association and the Irish Medical Organisation were members of the Medical Manpower Forum and the report of the forum was presented to Government earlier this year.
