Health Service Employment

The total numbers of whole time equivalent (WTE) staff employed in the public health services during the past decade is displayed by grade category in Table 5.1. Figures since 2007 show a decline in numbers of approximately 6.5%. It should be noted that data for 2011 refer to September, and are therefore likely to underestimate the end of year position in terms of reductions in staffing.  At nearly 36,000, the nursing profession remains the single largest grade category. The distribution by grade category is displayed in Figures 5.1 and 5.2.  A further breakdown of the health and social care professional category, which has shown the highest percentage increase in numbers during the past decade, is displayed in Figure 5.3.

The total numbers of consultant and non-consultant hospital doctors has increased by almost 25% since 2002 with the largest increase, 45%, in consultant posts (see Table 5.2 and Figure 5.4).

The number of agreements between the HSE and GPs for the provision of services under the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) has increased by almost 50% in the period 2000-2009.