Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The HSE is changing the manner in which non-consultant hospital doctors are appointed. This week, I met with Dr. White and others on this point. It is becoming difficult in an environment where there is a global shortage to get non-consultant hospital doctors for smaller, non-training hospitals. The most effective way of overcoming the difficulty is to have smaller hospitals combined with larger hospitals. This is already happening in regard to some of the midlands hospitals and St. James's Hospital. It should also happen in regard to Galway University Hospital. I will pursue the matter.

I am aware there is a shortage of nurses in Roscommon. I have spoken to the HSE about the quantum of nurses in the region to ensure Roscommon can function. I do not want to see a hospital with a deficit because of a particular problem in regard to nurses. We have a high ratio of nurses. Every time I say this, Mr. Doran talks to me about it. We have a high proportion of nurses in the Irish health care system, notwithstanding the moratorium and retirements. The comparison with Canada in The Irish Times supplement shows we are substantially ahead of Canada in the number of nurses working in our health care system. We have a sufficient number of nurses in the region to assign nurses to Roscommon County Hospital. I will endeavour to ensure that happens.

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