Ensure doctors are qualified to highest standard, HSE told

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has told the HSE to make sure “all steps possible” are taken to ensure doctors and other staff who are taken on are qualified to the required standard.

According to the Department of Health, Mr Varadkar said the HSE should ensure all recruitment procedures, including verification of references, are completed prior to anyone taking up a post, and that staff performance evaluations are undertaken on a regular basis.

“It cannot be left solely to professional regulators like the Medical Council to ensure that doctors are fit to practice,” Mr Varadkar said. “Employers like the HSE, voluntary hospitals and private sector operators also have responsibilities.”