Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Health if there has ever been a survey done of non-consultant/SPR hospital doctors on their working conditions, number of consecutive days worked and their annual leave allocated and taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51721/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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A number of surveys have been undertaken in relation to NCHDs training and working experiences, including the Medical Council's annual survey "Your Training Counts", surveys by the postgraduate training bodies and independent researchers. Others include the RCPI Post Evaluation Survey and Irish Association for Emergency Medicine’s Survey.

The Government is committed to a root and branch review of the working conditions and are actively working towards reform for NCHD’s and making posts in Ireland more attractive for them. NCHDs are a critical part of the health service. We must recognise their importance and work to ensure that they achieve a better work/life balance.

As part of this process we are currently engaged with the Revenue Commissioners to address NCHD concerns regarding emergency tax.  I have directed the HSE to urgently implement these changes. 

I am aware from meetings I have had with NCHDs as recently as last Thursday in Limerick, that they have concerns in relation to their working conditions, hours of work and access to annual leave. All NCHD’s are entitled to reasonable working conditions, to their annual leave and to be allowed take it.

I announced the establishment of a National Taskforce to focus on the NCHD workforce in September 2022 .  This is an ongoing process whereby I receive regular reports and updates from the Taskforce to implement improvements concurrently.  I am happy to report that €1 million has already been invested to begin addressing these issues.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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95. To ask the Minister for Health if he will put in place a contingency plan to ensure staffing levels are in place at Ennis injury unit following the closure of the unit on 20 August 2022 at short notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47993/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has advised me that there have been occasions recently where staffing issues have resulted in the temporary closure of Injury Units in Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s hospitals. 

The closures, including on the day in question, related mainly to NCHD resources and to COVID-19 issues, though services can also be affected by deficits in nursing and allied health staffing resources. I am assured that these disruptions have all been communicated to the public in advance through the media and on social media, and this included advice on alternative ways to access care.

These disruptions are unfortunate. However, the increase in activity in all three Injury Units is a positive development. In 2021, 33,585 patients attended the Injury Units, which exceeded the level of activity prior to the pandemic. I am advised that there has been an annual growth in activity of 36% at Nenagh so far this year and 19% at Ennis. In May 2022, both Ennis and Nenagh had their busiest months to date with over 1,200 attendances each.

The new Injury Unit which opened at Ennis Hospital in April 2022 represents a €2 million investment by the HSE in improving the clinical environment and the patient experience for these services. The HSE has confirmed that it remains committed to growing these services in their model 2 hospitals in the long-term.