Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Government plans to implement the recommendations of the Hanly report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9417/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I regard the report of the national task force on medical staffing as a significant contribution to the development of acute hospitals services and to the organisation of medical staffing.

The report makes important proposals for reducing the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors, NCHDs, in line with the European working time directive. It highlights the need to implement changes in medical staffing to ensure safety and quality of patient care, and to reduce significantly the unacceptably long working hours of NCHDs.

Hanly recommends a significant increase in the total number of consultants, working in a consultant-provided, team-based system, so that patients can receive faster access to senior clinical decision making. The Hanly report deals also with medical education and training with particular reference to the changes that will be needed in the context of a 48-hour working week for NCHDs.

In relation to the organisation of hospital services, I consider that the report proposes an appropriate way forward in terms of regional self-sufficiency, investment in hospital services and the organisation of those services around hospital networks. In line with these recommendations, I will continue the Government's planned investment in new hospital facilities and additional consultant posts. I believe that this approach will be to the benefit of all patients.

I believe that the national hospitals office is best placed to build on the recommendations of the Hanly report in relation to hospital services and have asked my officials to progress the issue with officials of the national hospitals office. Mr. David Hanly who chaired the report of the national task force on medical staffing will continue to be available for advice on the reform process.

Implementation of the other recommendations of the report is proceeding. My Department is working closely with the Health Services Executive and other health agencies to implement the measures set out in the report to reduce the average weekly working hours of junior doctors. Negotiations with the Irish Medical Organisation on the reduction in hours are continuing and local implementation groups have been established in nine hospitals as part of an agreed pilot process.

While consultant contract negotiations are paused pending resolution of issues related to medical indemnity arrangements, significant preparatory work has been undertaken on a draft consultant contract and management position paper.

The implications of the required changes for post-graduate medical education and training are being examined by the medical education and training group that was originally established as part of the national task force on medical staffing.