Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which all staffing requirements at Naas General Hospital, County Kildare, are being met having particular regard to the need to ensure that the full scale and range of services initially promised at the hospital are provided in line with expectations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18163/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has not indicated to me any specific difficulties with regard to Naas General Hospital. However, I am very conscious of concerns in relation to some hospitals in advance of the next rotation of Non-Consultant Hospitals Doctors (NCHDs). The shortage of suitable NCHDs is an issue worldwide. The HSE has taken a range of actions to address NCHD vacancies to ensure that any resulting impact on services is minimized and patient safety maintained.

I am in ongoing discussions with the HSE and various stakeholders in order to identify a solution to the recruitment of NCHD's nationwide. I will have greater clarity on this issue in the next few weeks. In addition, my Department is at an advanced stage of drafting a Bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007, facilitating the Medical Council to register doctors in supervised posts for a defined period.

I can assure you that the necessary steps are being taken in order to ensure ongoing safe delivery of service in hospitals and in Emergency Departments in particular.