‘Patients at risk over A&E staff shortfall’

THERE is “the very real danger” that the imminent drop in emergency department staff levels will leave hospitals unable to ensure the safety of patients from July, doctors have warned.

The Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) made the comment after claiming there has been next to no attempt to address the expected 400 junior doctors’ shortfall due to recruitment issues set to impact within three months.

A spokesperson for the IAEM — which represents doctors working in emergency units — said the HSE has already confirmed it has received 950 applicants for junior doctor jobs in the units in recent months.