IHCA: Harney plan could create more hospital congestion

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has claimed that plans by Minister for Health Mary Harney to press ahead with hiring 1,500 new hospital doctors will actually be detrimental to the health service.

Ms Harney is expected to present the proposals to the cabinet today despite the failure of the HSE and consultant groups to reach agreement on the matter.

The IHCA says the new doctors are being hired without any commitment to provide the resources they need to do their job.

It says it has been looking for extra consultants for several years, but Ms Harney's move will actually create more congestion in hospitals unless they have the resources they need to do their jobs.

It says the minister must explain when and how she is going provide the operating theatres, out-patient clinics, beds, intensive care units, junior doctors, nurses and all the other services necessary to provide patient care.