Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the Health Service Executive has advised her of likely reductions in the provision of 24-7 accident and emergency cover in Naas General Hospital; if she is confident there will be no loss of services at Naas General Hospital in 2010 due to a shortage of junior doctors. [22572/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I am not aware of any changes to the manner in which emergency services will be delivered at Naas General Hospital. The HSE is anticipating some difficulties in the filling of junior doctor (NCHD) posts in July when doctors begin their new rotation. There are indications of a reduction in applications for posts, especially in emergency medicine, anaesthesia and general medicine. However, the true extent of the shortfall in vacancies will only gradually become clear over the coming weeks. A range of proposals to address the situation if there is a significant increase in unfilled vacancies are currently being worked on by the HSE.