Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

Select Committee on the Future of Healthcare

Health Service Reform: Private Hospitals Association

9:00 am

Mr. Brian Fitzgerald:

I have noticed a trend. It is probably a pent-up issue. Historically, consultants would do their fellowship in North America, typically. They would complete their fellowship within two years and then would plan to take a public post. They stayed longer abroad, maybe two more years. They might be away for four years. They get married, are raising a young family and want to come back. They are taking salaried positions in the private system. They are not seeking a public job at all.