Dr. Mark Murphy:

Everyone agrees that this is not right. We all know that and we are in agreement with regard to what is the problem. We also kind of agree with what are the solutions but no one is ensuring that these solutions are put in place. It is the culture that exists and we need to change it. We can do so.

I do not wish to sound pious but I must inform Deputy Regina Doherty that NCHDs are very vulnerable. I completely appreciate the point made by Deputy Catherine Byrne. We see the impact of austerity and we also see the vulnerable, marginalised and those who are victims in society in our hospitals.

We are in a wonderful profession and we appreciate that, but nevertheless there are wrongs in the system and they need to be dealt with. Non-consultant hospital doctors are very vulnerable. We often rotate every three to six months. We find it difficult to rock the boat as we are looking after our careers. If one can think back on one's previous employment and if one built up five or ten years of loyalty and relationships, one can change systems, but in our case we move around very often. Dr. O'Kane has done fantastic work in two hospitals and that was achieved in only one year. Imagine what could happen if NCHDs were in positions for longer. We are vulnerable and that is part of the problem.

There are many long-term considerations, such as those provided in the Hanly report, that need to happen to make the health services better. They would make us compliant with the European working time directive and reform the hospital services for the benefit of the patients. This year we need to get some tangible solutions. In focusing on working roles and the way we work, it is not a question of dumping our roles onto other professionals but about the clever application of what constitutes the best use of resources in terms of us, allied health professionals, phlebotomy, what we do, IT and other considerations. In respect of the two issues of our roles and rostering, I hope the committee tries to instill some accountability for those with the HSE later.