Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
656. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland imports more doctors and has more medical graduates than any other EU state but still has one of the lowest numbers of practising doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that the recruitment and retention in Ireland of doctors, who graduate and are trained in Ireland, is recognised as being important for the effective functioning of the health service. In addition, it is in keeping with the objectives of the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel that we should endeavour to establish and promote voluntary principles and practices for the ethical international recruitment of health personnel, taking into account the rights, obligations and expectations of source countries, destination countries, and migrant health personnel.
It is accepted that a number of our Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs), GPs, and consultants go abroad as part of their training, and some go following completion of their training, to gain experience and expertise, prior to taking up posts in Ireland. A further cohort go abroad for extended periods, for a variety of other reasons, such as working conditions, lifestyle, and pay. However, some go abroad and do not return to Ireland.
In this context, the implementation of the recommendations of the MacCraith Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure Working Group is a priority for both my Department and the HSE. The Working Group completed its work in June 2014 and, in all, submitted three reports and made 25 recommendations. The reports address a range of barriers and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of doctors in the Irish public health system.
The MacCraith Strategic Review Working Group's recommendations are being implemented through a range of structures and processes across the health system. Each recommendation has an identified business owner, and progress updates are sought by my Department on a regular basis. To support implementation of the recommendations, my Department has also established an Implementation Monitoring Group, comprising key stakeholders, including NCHDs. To date, three progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations have been published on my Department’s website. These reports allow all stakeholders to assess the progress being made across the range of Strategic Review recommendations. At this point the focus is on the implementation of these measures, to support retention.
