Martin urged to stop releasing details of doctors’ pay to thwart criminals

HEALTH MINISTER Micheál Martin must stop releasing details of doctors’ pay - otherwise they will continue to be targets for violent criminals, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) warned yesterday.

Doctors’ safety had been jeopardised by the release of practice and payments details under the medical card scheme, the IMO said.

A Wexford-based general practitioner says he and his family were forced to endure a violent robbery in their home because the department had published his earnings. Doctor to the Wexford hurling team, Stephen Bowe, said it was wrong for the department to publish doctors’ names, addresses and earnings.