Dr Gabrielle Colleran receiving the Covid-19 vaccine

Pictured is Consultant Paediatric Radiologist and Medical Independent (MI) columnist Dr Gabrielle Colleran receiving a Covid-19 vaccine at the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin, from Midwife Ms Aoife Lennon earlier this month. Speaking recently to MI, Dr Colleran, who is also IHCA Vice President, said public hospitals are currently “facing an emergency situation” caused by the surge in Covid-19 cases.

“To manage the current surge, we have now had to take the difficult but necessary steps to ensure we get through this period,” she said.

“That unfortunately means rescheduling and cancelling some non-urgent essential care, among other mitigation measures. The public is our first line of defence — each person can help enormously to arrest the spread of the virus and give healthcare workers some space to fight this fight.”