Half-time applications raised by CAAC

The number of “half-time” posts being presented before the consultant applications advisory committee (CAAC) was raised by members at its meeting in October. According to minutes of the 6 October meeting, seen by the Medical Independent (MI) following a Freedom of Information request, “a discussion arose in relation to the number of half-time posts being presented to CAAC.”

The CAAC Chair requested the secretariat to provide an update, at a future meeting, on the number of such posts considered by the committee in the
previous 12 months.

A HSE spokesperson told MI that a half-time post is defined as “0.5 of 39 hours”. The spokesperson did not provide the number of such posts presented at the CAAC over the last year. At its meeting in October, the CAAC also discussed requirements where posts “currently occupied by individuals are presented for restructuring”. It was agreed that “going forward” the minimum requirement for the CAAC in such cases was “letters of support from all the relevant parties”.

“The CAAC will keep this under review and seek additional information if required.”

The minimum requirement remains “letters of support from all the relevant parties”, the HSE confirmed to MI. The purpose of the CAAC is to provide independent and objective advice to the HSE on applications for medical consultants and qualifications for consultant posts.