Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

As part of the winter initiative package in 2000-2001, I provided additional funding of some €40 million aimed at alleviating service pressures and maintaining services to patients. Part of this investment package was aimed at the recruitment of additional emergency medicine consultants and consultant anaesthetists. To date, 20 additional emergency medicine consultants have been recruited. Further appointments are being progressed by the health boards and the ERHA. There are now 51 emergency medicine consultant posts in acute hospitals, which is a 260% increase in numbers since 1997 when there were 14 consultants posts. I have had enough lectures about emergency medicine and accident and emergency cover.

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