Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor Doody. I know that it is crucial. I had not realised how complex the challenges were with regard to the ages between 16 and 18 and how acute general health episodes and mental health episodes are managed. That leads on to issues relating to admission to adult units. Professor Doody mentioned that the number of days children or young adults under the age of 18 have spent in adult units has reduced. That is important. We need much more access to beds.

The submissions were great and provided feedback on areas outside of the legislation as well. As I mentioned earlier, the area of recruitment is of interest to me. Salaries are one thing. A very good article in The Journalwas forwarded to me by someone in healthcare. It was about the increase in the number of young doctors going to Australia.

Mention was made of the GP experience in Australia and the fact that there are so many things we would love to bring on board, but I know from GPs in my area — the Ballinasloe–east Galway area — and south Roscommon that they do not have access to Westdoc. They do not get access to night-time supports, from 12 midnight to 8 a.m. This is absolutely incredible. I very much recognise the lack of funding and investment in these areas. I would like to hear the views of Ms Clyne, Professor Doherty and a few others on this. My questions are informed by my understanding of the multitude of challenges that exist, the burnout and the incredible weight on people, particularly on women, including young women, but also on families and young dads. It is just so hard. What are the other quality-of-life measures to be considered that relate to the university training hospital, the likes of University Hospital Galway and work with research? While all of these are great draws, how do we retain the excellent graduates that come through our system?