Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator who has been very consistent, dedicated and committed to this cause. I commend this and I thank him for raising this important issue. As a country, we invest considerable resources in training our non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs. As recently as Tuesday this week, a report published by the RCSI highlighted that more than 80% of trainee doctors have said that working conditions, training opportunities, and work-life balance are factors that would influence their decision to leave Ireland. Last Saturday, the Minister, Deputy Harris, attended for the second time the annual medical careers day, where he was struck by the enthusiasm of the students. It is vital that we continue to foster a positive attitude and support these medical students during their time in training.

National Doctors Training and Planning, NDTP, in the HSE funds postgraduate training for trainees through service level agreements with each individual training body for the various specialties. It also provides financial supports to NCHDs through two separate funding schemes for the costs involved in undertaking exams and courses. The first of these is the clinical course and exam refund scheme. NDTP provides funding of €450 for mandatory courses or exams undertaken in Ireland and €650 towards exams taken outside of Ireland. It is recognised though that sometimes the costs of courses or exams will exceed this amount. The second scheme is the higher specialist fund. This fund is available to higher specialist trainees, including GP registrars. In total there are approximately 1,500 of these trainees. Trainees are entitled to €500 per year of higher specialist training. This equates to €2,500 for those on a five year training programme. The total number of trainees is now more than 3,700 and this number has grown in recent years. In addition, the number of NCHDs who do not occupy training posts is growing. The total number of NCHDs has increased by more than 1,000, to approximately 6,000 in the past three years. While this increase is welcome, it must be recognised that the budget available to NDTP has to cover more trainees than previously.

The strategic review of medical training and career structure working group, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, published three reports in 2013 and 2014, and made 25 recommendations. The need to support NCHD training was highlighted by the group. I will mention some particular successes already achieved in implementing the MacCraith group’s recommendations, including the appointment of lead NCHDs. This role involves representing all NCHDs in their dealings with clinical directorates and hospital management. There is also the improvement of the work-life situation of NCHDs. The HSE has agreed to double the number of family-friendly training places over a three-year period, and the recruitment of additional NCHDs has meant significant reductions in working hours. The Department remains committed to the full implementation of the recommendations of the group. This includes recommendations relating directly to NCHD training needs and assisting in the recruitment and retention of key medical staff. On this basis, it was agreed earlier this year that management and the Irish Medical Organisation would undertake a review of the continuing education requirements of NCHDs. This review is due to commence in the near future and will be undertaken under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. It is important that we continue to improve the working conditions of NCHDs and support their training needs to the maximum extent possible.