Health Service Staff.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2007

Thursday, 29 March 2007

Ceisteanna (26, 27)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

13 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Health and Children the aspects of the Hanly Report that have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12043/07]

Pat Breen

Ceist:

45 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the aspects of the Hanly Report that she will implement in the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12044/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 45 together.

The National Task Force on Medical Staffing, chaired by Mr David Hanly, was set up to:

devise a strategy for reducing the average working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) so as to achieve the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD);

address the consequent medical staffing needs of Irish hospitals;

analyse the practical implications of moving to a consultant-provided hospital system;

and consider the requirements for medical education and training arising from any changes to the current model of delivering services.

The Report of the Task Force made a series of important recommendations. These covered issues such as:

the changes needed in NCHD work patterns;

the need for a significant increase in the number of consultants;

the need for a revised contract for medical consultants;

reform of medical education and training;

and the reorganisation of acute hospital services.

Work is proceeding in relation to each of the main recommendations made by the Task Force.

Question No. 14 answered with QuestionNo. 8.