David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the total number of non-consultant hospital doctor posts; the total number of non-consultant hospital doctor posts currently vacant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/11]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The HSE has advised that as of 11th January 2010, approximately 150 of 4,638 Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) were vacant. Locations experiencing particular difficulties are Drogheda (Anaesthetics and Paediatrics), Letterkenny (Emergency Medicine and Medicine), Limerick (Emergency Medicine) and Beaumont (Emergency Medicine). The moratorium on public sector recruitment is not a factor in these NCHD vacancies. Other countries are also experiencing difficulties in recruiting NCHDs.

My Department is working with HSE and relevant stakeholders to ensure that an adequate number of NCHDs is maintained in the public health service. In addition the HSE have developed a range of strategies and initiatives for the current and July 2011 rotations with a view to maximising recruitment. Key measures include:

Professional Development Posts - On 3rd December the HSE advertised all vacant non-training NCHD posts as 'Professional Development Posts' under 2 year contracts to one of the four HSE Areas, with a minimum of 6 months in a regional centre, participation in a Professional Development Scheme under the relevant postgraduate training body and access to a range of financial incentives.

International recruitment – the HSE recently facilitated two recruitment campaigns in Budapest and Bucharest. This has resulted in a significant number of potential candidates for vacant NCHD posts. The HSE is also working to facilitate a recruitment process in India and Pakistan this month.

Increase in training posts - Introduction in July of additional Initial Specialist Training posts in Emergency Medicine and additional Initial Specialist Training posts in Surgery;

NCHDs registered on Trainee Specialist Division working in other hospital sites - the HSE has written to its Hospitals and Agencies clarifying that NCHDs registered on the Trainee Specialist Division may be offered the opportunity or required by their employer to provide services appropriate to their training specialty, grade and training programme in other clinical sites". This would allow – for example, the employer to offer a trainee in emergency medicine employed in St James's Hospital the opportunity to perform additional work in Beaumont.

In addition, each HSE Area has a contingency plan in place to ensure safe services are maintained in the context of any ongoing vacancies.