Health chiefs in the west have been urged to ‘pull out all the stops’ to fill seven vacant consultant posts at Portiuncula Hospital.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to Independent TD, Denis Naughten that seven consultant posts, including three in medicine, two in radiology, one in paediatrics and one obstetrician and gynaecology consultant, remain unfilled at the Ballinasloe hospital.
Deputy Naughten said it is vitally important that these positions in Portiuncula, and vacant posts at all level three hospitals, are filled without delay.
“It is extremely important that these posts are filled in order to maintain existing services and to develop further services,” he said.
Deputy Naughten said staff fear that the vacancies will be used to downgrade the hospital.
“Everything must be considered, including offering sessions in University Hospital Galway and research opportunities, in order to attract people to these positions. Like what is happening now with nurses, there needs to be incentives in place to fill these vacant consultant posts at Portiuncula,” said the Roscommon/Galway TD.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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