Hospitals still face curbs despite HSE U-turn
The HSE announced on Tuesday that, where possible, all existing training posts would continue to be recognised as training posts by the Medical Council for one further year.
The Department of Health’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, who had been involved in efforts to resolve the looming staffing crisis, welcomed the HSE’s commitment.
“This means that there is now a 12-month period to allow all interested parties to make appropriate transition arrangements.”
A delegation from the Irish Hospital Consultants Association met Health Minister Mary Harney, on Wednesday night to discuss the staffing crisis as a result of a shortage of doctors from July 1.
The IHCA said it had urged HSE chief executive, Prof Brendan Drumm two weeks ago to urgently reconsider the authority’s recommendation to the council on the number of training places.
“It is unlikely that the change of mind on the part of the HSE will materially alter the anticipated shortfall in doctor numbers from July. Some services will still be curtailed or cancelled,” it warned.
However, the IHCA have welcomed the HSE’s change of mind because it would allow an opportunity to balance the service and training needs in a more structured and organised fashion over time.
The association pointed out that the transition process could take at least two years to implement properly to avoid risks to patients.
The HSE said it had consulted with the Department of Health, the Medical Council and the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training bodies before accepting the proposal to address a potential shortage of junior doctors across the hospital system.
It pointed out that contingency plans were being prepared in each of the four HSE regions.
Dr Holohan said the resolution of the matter meant that the issue would not impact on patient services.
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