Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising the issue and for affording me the opportunity to advise the House of the arrangements made for patients requiring dermatological services at UHW.

I assure the House that the HSE and the South-South West Hospitals Group are committed to ensuring the continuation of dermatology services for people in the south east, notwithstanding the temporary staffing and recruitment difficulties being experienced in UHW. I understand every effort is being made to fill the three vacant consultant dermatologist posts, two of which arose recently, one due to a retirement and the other because of maternity leave. Efforts are continuing to recruit temporary replacements until the posts are filled on a permanent basis. In the interim, UHW has put in place an arrangement with the dermatology service at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, SIVUH, in Cork. Arrangements for urgent referrals for a dermatology service, for example, melanomas or suspicious pigmented lesions and patients requiring emergency dermatology review, should be referred to the dermatology department at SIVUH or to the nearest dermatology unit, as appropriate. Patients with an established diagnosis of melanoma will be followed up at a designated clinic in the dermatology department, SIVUH. In addition, complex dermatological cases such as those receiving biologic agents for psoriasis will be followed up at a designated clinic in the dermatology department, SIVUH.

I understand UHW will ensure ongoing and close linkages between its dermatology department and that of SIVUH through the making of arrangements for the clinical nurse specialist from UHW's dermatology service to attend the Cork-based clinics. In addition to the SIVUH arrangement, the hospital is also endeavouring to make arrangements with other hospitals in the surrounding regions to take some of the patients. All these arrangements will be kept under review and GPs and patients-clients will be updated accordingly.

I share the hospital's regret and that of the Deputies that, in the current circumstances, dermatological services have been curtailed. It is important, however, to acknowledge that the HSE has the capacity to recruit consultants and other front-line staff where there is an established service need, notwithstanding the requirement to reduce the numbers employed across the health service to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. In light of the difficulties experienced by some hospitals in filling certain consultant posts, the Minister for Health established a working group, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, to carry out a strategic review of medical training and career structure. The review is aimed at improving graduate retention in the public health system and planning for future service needs. To date, the working group has issued two reports. The first report submitted in December focused on improving the training experience for trainees. The second report submitted at the end of April reviewed career structures and pathways following completion of specialist training. The final report, which will deal with workforce planning, is due to be submitted by the end of this month.

I again thank the Deputies for the opportunity to discuss this pressing matter and I assure them and the House that the HSE is making every effort to secure the services of permanent consultants. While the closing date for applications for the third vacant post is tomorrow, 26 June, I understand the HSE hopes it may recruit two consultants under this process. In the interim, every effort will be made to continue to provide urgent services to patients.

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