Medic posts unfilled at Navan Hospital

Our Lady's Hospital in Navan is among eight hospital where 50 per cent or more of middle grade (registrar) doctor positions remain unfilled. In a statement issued this week, the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM) said the continued reliance on locum medical staff in emergency departments was not only expensive but was potentially detrimental to standards of clinical governance and risk avoidance in patient care. "Such continued understaffing of the middle grade medical tier will also place in jeopardy the recent success of the reforms undertaken by the Special Delivery Unit," the IAEM said. According to a spokesperson for the HSE, said that, as of Monday, there were 62 posts in all specialties - including emergency medicine - in HSE hospitals and agencies which remain unfilled. "A very significant number of these posts are currently being filled by locum/agency staff - meaning that a doctor is in post to provide the service. The HSE is working to address the dependence on agency staff. "Approximately 36 registrar posts in emergency medicine are currently filled by locum/agency staff. The shortage of registrars in emergency medicine is not just an issue in Ireland, but internationally. Northern Ireland, Scotland and England have experienced similar problems. The HSE is working closely with individual hospitals to address their needs in this area," the spokesperson added.