Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 6 September 2019
1330. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the report from the Medical Council of 3 July 2019 on its annual national trainee experience survey (details supplied); if urgent attention will be given to addressing these findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received a copy of the Medical Council's "Your Training Counts" Report for 2017 from its Chief Executive on 28th June. While the Report highlights a number of issues that impact negatively on the training experiences of doctors and interns, including extended working hours and bullying, it also identifies a number of positive trends.
The Medical Council in publishing the Report noted that it informs dialogue and future collaboration between the individuals and organisations involved in medical education and training in Ireland with a view to continually improving the training experience. I welcome the Council's Reports and congratulate the Council for its proactive approach to identifying issues relating to the training experience and addressing them through constructive engagement with the Training Bodies and sites.
With regard to working hours, significant progress has been achieved in the past 5 years on achieving compliance with the provisions of the European Working Time Directive in relation to the maximum average working week of 48 hours and the granting of daily, weekly and fortnightly rest as provided for in the Directive. In relation to bullying, I am pleased that the Council is proactively addressing this issue. I am also aware that the HSE is currently focused on addressing bullying within its workforce, including the medical workforce in conjunction with the IMO.
I will be meeting with the President of the Council later this month, the 19th, to discuss the Report and related issues it has raised.
