The new IMO President has called for a major investment programme in new hospitals to address the “estimated shortfall of 5,000 hospital beds” in the country.
Professor Matthew Sadlier was speaking during his inaugural address at the organisations AGM, in Hotel Europe in Killarney, Co Kerry.
Professor Sadlier, who is a Consultant Psychiatrist, said that the shortage of hospital beds was “directly contributing” to the crisis with both waiting lists and hospital emergency departments.
Professor Sadlier also praised the contribution made by “international doctors and all our international colleagues” in healthcare and criticised recent incidents of verbal and even physical abuse against health service staff based on their race, religion or ethnicity.
“The Irish health services and the people of this country are utterly dependent on the contribution of international doctors, nurses and support staff”, he said. “The thugs who shout obscenities and physically threaten these colleagues bring shame to this country and their behaviour must never be tolerated or accepted.”
Professor Sadlier also emphasised the importance of contract negotiations currently underway with NCHDs; “it was encouraging to hear Ann O’Connor’s (HSE CEO) words of respect for NCHDs earlier today [at the AGM on Saturday] but we have heard similarly warm words in the past without making the progress necessary”.
“Many years ago, I was part of the team that launched legal proceedings against the HSE over the European Working Time Directive – now the Organisation of Working Time Act. I am truly saddened that NCHD working hours are still above legal working limits which is not only about the employer breaking the law but also unsafe for patients and doctors.”
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