This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-17589128
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 95 Northern Ireland hospital consultant posts unfilled | 95 Northern Ireland hospital consultant posts unfilled |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| By Marie-Louise Connolly BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent | By Marie-Louise Connolly BBC Northern Ireland health correspondent |
| Up to 95 consultant posts are unfilled in hospitals across Northern Ireland, including 20 at the Royal Victoria in Belfast. | |
| A number of the positions are in accident and emergency departments. | A number of the positions are in accident and emergency departments. |
| The information was obtained by the SDLP following growing concern over waiting lists at Antrim Area Hospital. | The information was obtained by the SDLP following growing concern over waiting lists at Antrim Area Hospital. |
| The Department of Health said health trusts were actively trying to fill the vacancies. | The Department of Health said health trusts were actively trying to fill the vacancies. |
| According to managers in the health service, part of the ongoing crisis in accident and emergency care is due to the lack of consultants willing to work in this highly pressurised area. | According to managers in the health service, part of the ongoing crisis in accident and emergency care is due to the lack of consultants willing to work in this highly pressurised area. |
| In Antrim, three of the six vacancies are in the A&E department. | In Antrim, three of the six vacancies are in the A&E department. |
| The SDLP's assembly representative for the area, Patsy McGlone, said it was about trusts trying to save money. | The SDLP's assembly representative for the area, Patsy McGlone, said it was about trusts trying to save money. |
| "What I've been told is - and well-informed sources have told me - that many of the trusts in a cost-cutting exercise just simply aren't filling these positions. | "What I've been told is - and well-informed sources have told me - that many of the trusts in a cost-cutting exercise just simply aren't filling these positions. |
| "There's clearly a management issue here. The ostrich, with its head in the sand, doesn't work," he said. | "There's clearly a management issue here. The ostrich, with its head in the sand, doesn't work," he said. |
| Of the 95 unfilled consultant vacancies, 20 posts remain unfilled at the Royal Victoria Hospital, with six at its children's hospital. | |
| At Craigavon Area Hospital there are 12 unfilled posts; 10 at the Ulster Hospital; 10 in Altnagelvin, seven in Daisy Hill in Newry and three at the Erne in Enniskillen. | |
| While the Department of Health was unable to provide a breakdown for each speciality, it is understood many of the posts are in A&E. | While the Department of Health was unable to provide a breakdown for each speciality, it is understood many of the posts are in A&E. |
| In a statement, the department said: "Trusts are actively trying to fill these vacancies but it is recognised that there are specialties in which employers have difficulty in attracting suitable applicants. | In a statement, the department said: "Trusts are actively trying to fill these vacancies but it is recognised that there are specialties in which employers have difficulty in attracting suitable applicants. |
| "This is reflective of the position nationally and is not just a problem particular to Northern Ireland." | "This is reflective of the position nationally and is not just a problem particular to Northern Ireland." |