Medical training reforms not fully in place

None of the recommendations made last year by a high-level working group on improving structures for medical training has been fully implemented so far, according to a progress report from the Department of Health.

The report says that most of the 25 recommendations made last June by the group, chaired by Prof Brian MacCraith, president of Dublin City University, are in the process of being implemented.

Ten of the recommendations are at an advanced implementation phase, while another nine are in early implementation, the report says. The remaining nine are still at the design phase.

Over a series of reports, the MacCraith groups made recommendations to provide greater structure in medical careers and make doctors feel more valued in the health service.

One called for industrial relations engagement on the barriers created within the profession when consultant pay rates were reduced by 30 per cent in 2012.

Advanced phase

The progress report says this recommendation is at an advanced implementation phase as proposals to restore much of the pay cut have been accepted by health service management and the

Irish Medical Organisation

.

However, further discussions are required on aspects of the proposals, which will then be referred back to the Labour Relations Commission.

Among the recommendations still at the design stage are a call by the working group for the Health Service Executive to put in place a national implementation plan on the issue and a suggestion that smaller hospitals should be made less “unattractive” to work in.

Recommendations for more work to address issues relating to mental health services and the development of mentoring supports are also at an early stage of design.