Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called for urgent government action to address the crisis in how young hospital doctors are trained, recruited and treated.
Deputy Shortall said:
“I welcome today’s publication of the Medical Council report on the experience of young doctors in our hospitals. The report found that more than a third of intern doctors and specialist trainees are working more than 60 hours per week. Long working hours was the reason given by two thirds of those who were thinking about practicing medicine abroad.
“When taken with the recent media coverage of the HSE report on foreign doctors, it adds up to a crisis in the way that we train, recruit and treat our young hospital doctors.
“It’s no wonder then that they vote with their feet and move to other countries which have properly functioning health systems and which treat patients and staff with the respect which they deserve.
“The government must publish the high level HSE report which contains a detailed analysis of the severe recruitment problems with hospital doctors. It is only when that detail is available that it will be possible to respond adequately to this crisis which is impacting on patient care and safety.”
ENDS
3rd July 2019