The EU/IMF memorandum of understanding promises reform for what it describes as “sheltered sectors” – the medical and legal professions. We had hoped to look at both this evening but the representative bodies for the legal sector were, shall we say, not as forthcoming as their medical counterparts. So we’ll come back to lawyers in the autumn after the Government publish the Legal Services Bill.
But tonight there is doctor in the house and more than one. Dr James Reilly, Minister for Health, is joining us to discuss what that reform of the medical profession will look like and what, at the end of it, it will mean for you the patient. Pat will also be joined by the Irish Medical Organisation, the Irish College of General Practitioners, doctors from the actual frontline will join The Frontline audience, as will medical students and of course patients.
Many expert groups have been saying for years that we have a relatively low number of GPs - and the memorandum mentioned above says the Government will lift restrictions on the number of GPs qualifying. But will that be enough to solve the problem? And GPs aside – should you avoid getting sick on the 11th July?
That’s the date the next junior doctor changeover takes place and out of 32 Emergency Departments only 5 say they will be fully staffed. Some of the other 27 may even have to curtail their opening hours. Dr Chris Luke, consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mercy Hospital Cork, claims that’s because expensively state trained Irish graduates are choosing to work abroad. He’ll be with us explaining why he’s calling on them to do their patriotic duty. And some junior doctors will tell us why he’s wrong and how it’s the consultants causing the problems.
Do join us tonight at 21.35.
