Reilly: Plan in place to cope with exodus

The Government and HSE have said frontline services will come under increased pressure after more than 4,300 staff leave the health service this month.

One quarter of those leaving are doing so as a result of the Government’s early retirement scheme.

The HSE said in some areas — particularly the Mid-West — services that were already creaking due to employment embargoes and earlier retirements would come under greater strain.