Sir, – There has been much recent coverage of the shortage of doctors and the impact of that shortfall on service delivery. The last time this happened (2011) the HSE went to India to interview and employ over 150 doctors to come to Ireland to provide service across a range of specialties.
We were lucky enough to employ two such doctors in our department. Both resigned their positions last week as it became clear that, although the HSE was happy to employ them to deliver key services to patients, the Medical Council was not happy to allow them to develop their careers on formal training programmes; although the Medical Council admitted them to the General Medical Register allowing them to treat patients independently, because they are from India they are specifically excluded from joining the training register where they would enjoy supervision and meaningful career enhancement.
In other words, it is okay for them to provide essential services in a time of crisis, but not okay to allow them to work on training programmes that would give them a long term employment option. Ultimately, the manner in which this has been handled sends out a clear message that, because of their country of origin they are unwelcome for the “long haul”.
It would be helpful as the manpower crisis deepens if the HSE and the Medical Council could address this impasse before many more Indian doctors (understandably) resign these “service” positions. – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN McCANN,
MARK DOYLE
CYRUS MOBED
PAUL KELLY
FRANK O DWYER
DES FITZGERALD
Consultants in Emergency
Medicine,
Waterford Regional
Hospital,
Waterford.