Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Health. I appreciate the Deputy raising the issue.

The Government has determined that, in line with its commitment to reduce the size of the public service, health sector employment numbers must be reduced to approximately 102,100 whole-time equivalents in 2012. The end-2011 outturn was 104,400 whole-time equivalents. Therefore, a net reduction of 2,300 whole-time equivalents is required during 2012. The cumulative impact of staff reductions from this year and previous years presents a significant challenge for the health system in delivering services.

The priority is to reform how health services are delivered to ensure a more productive and cost-effective health system. The 2012 national service plan sets out what actions will be taken in the context of reduced staffing levels and a reduced budget. Staff in University Hospital, Galway, and, in particular, in the gynaecological theatre, are working very hard to ensure continuity of service. To ensure the maximum service possible is provided to patients, theatre sessions have been provided and utilised in the main theatre in the hospital and also in the theatres in Mayo and Portiuncula hospitals to support operations for women.

I must emphasise all emergency and urgent operations, including cancer-related procedures, have been carried out and all patients requiring caesarean sections have also been accommodated. Several minor elective procedures have been deferred and will be rescheduled when the gynaecological theatre resumes full capacity in the first week in April. In recent weeks, staff shortages due to the moratorium on recruitment and retirements have meant that it has not been possible to run the theatre to full capacity.

Two and a half agency staff have been recruited recently to cover the staff shortages and are being trained. This will lead to greater flexibility with rostering. It is important to note the staff will not lose annual leave, as has been reported in the media. Planning for staff exits from the health services commenced in October last year and is now being intensified at regional and local service level. The focus of these plans is on maintaining essential front line services such as emergency departments, intensive care and maternity services.

The Health Service Executive is seeking to mitigate the impact of the retirements on front line services by using the provisions of the public service agreement to bring about greater flexibility in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services. It will also deliver greater productivity through the national clinical programmes to reduce the average length of stay, improve day of admission surgery rates and increase the number of patients treated as day cases. There will also be some limited and targeted recruitment in priority areas to help limit the impact of retirements on front line services.

Deputy Kelleher is correct that the flexibility shown by health service staff and the way in which they have filled in for other staff members who exited the public service deserves recognition. We owe them a debt of gratitude and they have been working very hard in ensuring the delivery of the type of service we want. That includes the staff at University Hospital, Galway.

See this speech in context