Written answers

Tuesday, 21 November 2006

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Medical Corps

9:00 am

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will explain the much higher than average absenteeism rates in the Defence Forces and the serious shortage of medical staff; the way he will address both of these problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38478/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Sick leave in the Defence Forces was about 14 days per annum per person in the period from October 2005 to 30 September 2006. A SFA report earlier this year identified an average of 10 days absence per person per annum in larger firms.

Military service, due to the robust nature of the physical training regime exposes personnel to a unique range of challenging environments with attendant health risks. The mission of the Medical Corps of the Defence Forces is to ensure and to co-ordinate the provision of medical, dental and pharmaceutical support to the Defence Forces in the execution of their Roles as assigned by Government. Military medical services and their facilities exist to maintain the health of the Defence Forces and to support them in operational and overseas activities.

There is a shortage of medical officers (Doctors) in the Medical Corps. The establishment for Medical Officers is 47 and the current strength is 23, of whom 12 are functioning in front line clinical duties in Ireland amongst Brigades and formations. The services of civilian medical practitioners are regularly engaged to ensure that the primary health care requirements arising in barracks are met. However, the shortage of dedicated doctors impacts on overall management and control, both at the level of local units and nationally in the Medical Corps.

Efforts are ongoing to address the shortage of Medical Officers (Doctors) in the Medical Corps. A recruitment campaign for Doctors is currently underway. This campaign follows on from a recent decision to significantly increase the pay of Doctors and Dentists in the Medical Corps, linking them to the pay of public health doctors and dentists.

A review of the provision of medical services in the Defence Forces initiated as part of the Modernisation Agenda under Sustaining Progress has delivered improvements in this area. This work involves the Department of Defence including military management and the Representative Associations. A revised concept document on the provision of medical services and a patients charter are being prepared. There will be a greater emphasis on the direct provision of medical services and improvements in the maintenance and tracking of patients' records and treatment through computerisation. In the context of the Modernisation agenda arising under "Towards 2016" it is also intended to review the sick leave arrangements for personnel of the Defence Forces.

The work outlined above will assist the Chief of Staff, the Medical Corps and local commanders in their efforts to minimise the instances of sick leave of the Defence Forces and to maintain the general health of the Defence Forces.

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