Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The national task force on medical staffing was set up to devise a strategy for reducing the average working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors to achieve the requirements of the European working time directive, address the consequent medical staffing needs of Irish hospitals, analyse the practical implications of moving to a consultant-provided hospital system, and consider the requirements for medical education and training arising from any changes to the current model of delivering services.

The report of the national task force — the Hanly report — made a series of important recommendations. These covered issues such as the changes needed in non-consultant hospital doctor, NCHD, work patterns, the need for a significantly revised contract for medical consultants, the need for a significant increase in the number of consultants, reform of medical education and training, and the reorganisation of acute hospital services.

My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive to build on, and progress, these recommendations. Negotiations on NCHD work patterns and a new contract for consultants have begun. The Government also announced details of a €200 million initiative for a major reform of medical education and training, including an increase in the number of medical training places. These measures, combined with ongoing investment in acute hospital facilities, extra consultant posts and the organisation of services around hospital networks, are designed to provide patients with faster access to high quality consultant provided services.

The issues that led to the establishment of the national task force remain to be resolved, including the full implementation of the EU working time directive and the introduction of a consultant-provided service. Addressing these issues requires negotiation and agreement with the medical representative bodies. This process is under way.

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