merrion street

Minister for Health Simon Harris today (Friday) welcomed the publication of the Sixth Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structure (MacCraith) Progress Report. The report, from the MacCraith Implementation Monitoring Group, highlights the implementation of many of the recommendations made by the Strategic Review Working Group in 2013–2014.

The recruitment and retention of medical doctors who graduate and are trained in Ireland is important for the effective functioning of the Irish health service, and is in keeping with Ireland’s obligations under the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. Minister Harris stressed the importance of the recruitment and retention of our medical doctors.

He said that in line with the recommendations of the MacCraith reports, the introduction of the Lead NCHD initiative; improved flexible working arrangements; the creation of a careers and training website; pre-defined work rotations; streamlined training; pay increases; and the introduction of the National Employment Record were all positive developments which he hoped would help make the Irish health service an even more attractive place for doctors to work. He also welcomed the feedback from NCHDs on areas where further progress needs to be made, including the implementation of measures to support the provision of protected training time.

The report is available on the Department of Health website.