Bernard Allen
Ceist:274 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to specify the teaching responsibility for consultants in teaching hospitals in a review of the common contract. [10022/02]
Written Answers. - Hospital Consultants.
Non-consultant hospital doctors are regarded as doctors in training and as such receive further education from the practical application of medicine in hospitals and also from teaching sessions provided by the consultants. Under the terms of their current contract, consultants are required to engage in teaching and education. This responsibility will not change in any new consultants' contract that may be negotiated. However, the requirements in relation to post-graduate medical education are changing in that more protected time for education and training is being sought. These requirements are issues which will have to be considered in the context of the review of the common contract.