Denis Naughten
Ceist:599 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the steps which he is taking to deal with the shortage of non-consultant hospital doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16209/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 March 2012
Ceisteanna (599)
Freagraí scríofa
As of 23rd March, the majority of NCHD posts (both training posts and service posts) have been filled normally. Currently, where staffing issues exist, there are sufficient agency staff filling posts to meet service needs.
Approximately 80% of NCHD posts are recruited for and filled by the postgraduate training bodies as part of their training schemes. These posts may be either in HSE hospitals or in voluntary hospitals. The remaining posts are service posts rather than training posts, with about 15% in HSE hospitals and 5% in voluntary hospitals. NCHDs rotate between posts in January and July each year.
To address the filling of vacant service posts in July, the HSE National Recruitment Service launched a national centralised application process on 14 February 2012. This is intended to provide a continual stream of prospective candidates to meet demand, particularly in specialties such as Emergency Medicine and Psychiatry. The campaign includes external and internal press advertising as well as advertising on medical journal websites worldwide. In addition, the HSE is liaising with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan to identify candidates for vacant posts as they emerge and is also working to source Emergency Medicine Registrars in South Africa to commence work in Ireland in July 2012.
My Department will be closely monitoring the position over the coming months.
Question No. 600 answered with Question No. 46.