Call for funding to train 800 extra doctors a year to tackle staff shortage

THE Government must provide substantial funding to train up to 800 extra Irish doctors a year to tackle the escalating shortage of medical staff here, the Irish Patients’ Association insisted yesterday.

There is a cap of 315 on the number of Irish and EU doctors who can be trained in our medical schools each year, with 400 places reserved for non-EU students who pay treble the amount of fees.

IPA chairman Stephen McMahon said this discrimination in favour of students who pay more must stop and the Government must provide funding to ensure medical schools treble the number of Irish students.