Moves to avoid cuts caused by shortage of hospital doctors

ACTION is being taken to avoid cuts in hospital services next month resulting from a shortage of frontline doctors, Health Minister Mary Harney has claimed.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has warned some accident and emergency, anaesthesia and obstetrical services might have to close. The consultant’s group said the Health Service Executive had recommended to the Medical Council that specialist doctor training posts be cut from 4,800 to 3,600 from the start of July.

Ms Harney said the matter was being dealt with by the department’s chief medical officer, the HSE’s director of clinical affairs and other members of the health authority. “I hope that the issues that have arisen will be resolved over the next few days,” said Ms Harney.