Doctor weary of sector’s difficulties

A LEADING hospital consultant who ran for election for Fine Gael said he has become “demoralised” by the situation in the health services and is concerned about patient safety as doctors are increasingly over-worked.

Dr John Barton, a cardiologist at Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe, said there has been a 20% work increase at that hospital since the closure of Roscommon’s emergency department, and hit out at the Government’s handling of the situation.

The doctor who devised the concept of the universal health system, as promised in the Fine Gael manifesto, said he may move on from his position because of the crisis in the sector.