Sir, – The release by the HSE of amounts of overtime pay earned by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs), and the headlines generated, is depressingly predictable (HEALTHplus, February 28th).
Interestingly, the HSE did not release the number of hours these doctors worked to earn these payments. This is most likely because the high number of hours worked is unsafe, and illegal under Irish and European law. Until the HSE fulfils its moral and legal requirement to reduce doctors’ working hours, NCHDs will continue to leave Ireland in search of better working conditions and training opportunities. – Yours, etc,