Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I agree there is a major deficit in rheumatology services. Among the reasons for that is that while we have a large number of doctors, there is an overemphasis on junior doctors with too few consultant posts. If we could get the ratio right, the amount we are spending would cover the cost of consultant appointments. As a result of the new consultants' contract, we are in the process of recruiting more consultants across a range of specialists areas, including rheumatology, and this will be financed by shrinking junior doctor posts on a two for one basis. This has been recommended for many years and it is acceptable to the clinical community and to the HSE. Since 2005 I have increased the number of rheumatologists from 16 to 25.7 and we are currently recruiting for a post in the north west.

The publication of the report is a matter for Professor Drumm and the HSE management team. I understand among the issues they are considering is the designation of up to ten specialists centres around the country for rheumatology and linking rheumatology and orthopaedics and so on in a number of centres. Implementation work is delaying the publication of the report.

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