Health minister’s doctor numbers claim makes little sense

26 April 2012

Health minister’s hospital doctor numbers claim makes little sense

“Minister of Health Tony Ryall’s claim last week that there have been over 100 extra hospital doctors at Capital & Coast District Health Board makes little sense,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

Mr Ryall’s claim is part of his assertion that he has solved the crisis caused by specialist shortages in public hospitals since he became Minister of Health over three years ago.

“The facts say something else. From July 2008 to July 2011 the number of hospital specialists employed by Capital & Coast increased by a mere 18 (281 to 299) according to information provided by the DHB. That is, the hospital specialist shortages continue because work pressures and workloads continue to increase.”

“If the figures were robust then the number of resident (junior) doctors would have to have increased by over 70 but this appears very unlikely.”

“Ironically, in the three years before Mr Ryall became Health Minister, the number of hospital specialists at Capital & Coast increased by 49,” concluded Mr Powell.

ENDS

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