Written answers

Thursday, 14 April 2016

Department of Health

Health Services Staff Data

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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543. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the high number of doctors leaving Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/16]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that the recruitment and retention of doctors who graduate and are trained in Ireland is important to the effective functioning of the health service, and is in keeping with our obligations under the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. In this context, the implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure is a priority for my Department and the HSE.

In July 2013, a Working Group, chaired by Prof Brian MacCraith, President, Dublin City University, was established to carry out the Strategic Review. The Working Group was tasked with examining and making high-level recommendations relating to training and career pathways for doctors with a view to:

- Improving graduate retention in the public health system;

- Planning for future service needs; and

- Realising maximum benefit from investment in medical education and training.

The Working Group completed its work in June 2014 and, in all, submitted three reports and made 25 recommendations. The reports address a range of barriers and issues relating to the recruitment and retention of doctors in the Irish public health system.

A number of our NCHDs and consultants go abroad as part of their training, and some following completion of their training, to gain experience and expertise prior to taking up posts in Ireland. A further cohort go abroad for a variety of other reasons, such as working conditions, life style, and pay.

The Strategic Review recommendations aimed at addressing these reasons to the extent possible are being implemented through a range of structures and processes across the health system. Each recommendation has an identified business owner and progress updates are sought by my Department on a regular basis. To support implementation of the recommendations, my Department has also established an Implementation Monitoring Group, comprising key stakeholders. To date, three progress reports on the implementation of the recommendations have been published on my Department’s website. These allow all stakeholders to assess the progress being made across the range of Strategic Review recommendations. At this point the focus is on the implementation of these measures, to support retention.

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