Seanad debates

Wednesday, 22 October 2003

National Task Force on Medical Staffing: Statements.

 

It is suggested that pharmacists within the hospital services can have a greater role. While this would be extremely good, these changes take a while to be brought about. We are talking about having longer working days within hospitals and holding clinics in the evening. Once again, arrangements will have to be made with laboratory technicians, radiographers, physiotherapists, porters, administrative staff, etc. I worked in an acute hospital where the entire outpatient administrative service shut at 4 o'clock. Nurses and I gave notes to patients and told them to telephone the hospital the following day to seek appointments. This sort of thing does not lead to efficiency. It is not really correct to say that everything will be all right if we can get the doctors to work longer. That is not even one-tenth of the problem.

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