IMO statement on Consultant shortfalls
12 Aug 2019#FightForFairness
Why the hospital waiting lists keep growing
New IMO video breaks down Consultant crisis by speciality and highlights the waiting list in each area.
Four Senior Consultants given their views on current crisis
The IMO has identified the linkage between the shortage of Consultants and 560,000+ people on waiting lists across 10 key specialities in a new video being launched today. The video is available from the IMO on Twitter with the hashtag #FightForFairness.
According to the IMO, there is a total shortfall of 595 Consultants across 10 specialities compared to the number commonly recommended for the relevant specialities. The breakdown of actual consultants compared to recommended numbers and waiting lists is:
| Recommended No of Consultants | Actual No. of Consultants | Shortfall in Consultant Numbers
| Waiting Lists |
Orthopaedics | 202 | 99 | 103 | 68,689 |
ENT | 121 | 45 | 76 | 66,201 |
General Surgery | 194 | 161 | 33 | 46,498 |
Dermatology | 78 | 42 | 36 | 44,785 |
Ophthalmology | 147 | 41 | 106 | 43,848 |
Urology | 97 | 32 | 65 | 30,513 |
Obs & Gynae | 239 | 142 | 97 | 29,091 |
Cardiology | 101 | 64 | 37 | 24,094 |
Neurology | 64 | 43 | 21 | 22,280 |
Rheumatology | 61 | 40 | 21 | 17,794 |
The IMO believe the shortfall in the numbers of Consultantsis a direct result of the 2012 Government decision to cut the pay of new Consultants by 30% above the pay cuts being imposed on any other public servants at that time. This action – which has not yet been reversed – has led to widespread emigration amongst young doctors and the unprecedented inability of the HSE to attract doctors to apply for available Consultant positions.
Speaking today, Dr. Clive Kilgallen, Chairman of the IMO Consultant Committee said that the crisis in waiting lists was “inextricably bound up with the decision to penalise new Consultants”.