Press Statement 23 January 2003

Irish College Makes Submission to National Taskforce on Medical Staffing

The Irish College of Psychiatrists recently met with the National Taskforce on Medical Staffing to discuss the urgent need to address staffing issues for psychiatrists. The meeting was very positive.

The Irish College is concerned that the present medical model being developed is exclusively based on medicine and surgery – with little focus on psychiatry, which is the third largest of all specialities in medicine.

The Irish College is concerned that all services will move into big regional units under present taskforce plans. This philosophy runs contrary to all recognised policies and thinking on how psychiatric services should be developed.

The Irish college is focused on the need to reduce the number of NCHDs on call and thereby cope better with the 48 hour week. This is also a vital need to implement fully resourced community based multidisciplinary teams in the interests of the providing optimum care.

There will ultimately be a need to triple the number of consultants in psychiatry. If effective community care is to be maintained a ratio of consultants to NCHDs should change from its present 1:1.6 to 2:1.

ENDS

Further information
Wally Young, Young Communications 01-6680530 or 087-2471520