The possibility of doctors withdrawing services is looming following a decision by the Irish Medical Organise (IMO) to begin balloting members amid growing unrest at pay inequality and the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and not the Department of Health, is dictating the delivery of healthcare in Ireland, according to the outgoing president of the Irish Medical Organisation.

A husband has claimed that minutes after a mother preparing to give birth was given a pain-killing injection following a flare-up between doctors, “chaos” erupted and medical staff rushed around in a panic.