Madam, – The fact that it has even been suggested that the Medical Council might “ease” its strict criteria for employing doctors in this country (HEALTHplus, June 7th), so that the huge shortfall of non-consultant hospital doctors predicted for this July might be averted by a last-minute recruitment of Asian medics, illustrates the chaos into which medical manpower planning in this country has descended. It also offers a chilling glimpse of how the “endgame” of Irish medicine might play out.
(Once) rich, developed western country produces well over 500 medical graduates annually, and yet not enough who are inclined to serve their fellow citizens in their hour of need; so now, (much less) rich country hastily seeks to import hundreds of doctors, from wherever it can find them (regardless of familiarity with our language, peculiar national habits or medical standards). That the (highly questionable) moral position of depleting “developing” countries of their own precious human assets is not even mentioned by the HSE’s agents in this miserable business merely confirms that healthcare in this country is so often uncaring.
Like a medical Cassandra, I have argued for years for recognition of the myopia which created this frightening collapse in recruitment (particularly to emergency departments); now, as a pragmatist who daily struggles to adequately staff his own department, I urge the powers-that-be to accelerate the appointment of advanced nurse practitioners and (first year) interns to every hospital emergency department; I urge medical schools to offer “bonus points” to applicants who “sign up” to work in Ireland’s emergency departments for six months after qualification (for the usual salary and perhaps a little “incentive” too); and I plead with all our medical graduates not to repudiate this Republic, but – rather than highlighting the (undoubtedly erratic) “terms and conditions” in this country that they say drive them to Bondi and beyond – to consider the terms and conditions that their own families, friends and fellow-citizens endure in our emergency departments, as a consequence of the mass exodus of so many gifted graduates.
In truth, all I am suggesting is that they defer their invaluable overseas trip for a year or two: this might turn out to be a truly life-saving gesture for the nation’s hospitals, and what was once one of the proudest medical nations in the world.
And I am certain – having worked in Australia myself – that a year or two’s initial experience in this country’s service would make our graduates even more welcome Down Under. – Yours, etc,