‘Crushing blow’ for hospital services

The shock departure of three registrars from Ennis Hospital has been described as a “crushing blow” for local acute services in the county.

Two experienced senior registrars, who treated patients in Ennis Hospital and St Joseph’s Geriatric Hospital, Ennis, have tendered their resignations.

Barring an unexpected development, it is expected Dr Kamal and Dr Haroon will be gone by the end of the year while Dr Umbreen has decided not to renew her contract.

The introduction of a new combined rota system involving registrars at Ennis Hospital carrying out the task of Senior House Officers (SHO) after 5pm, which they regarded as a demotion following years of training, was a major factor influencing their decision to leave voluntarily.

This new rota will result in only one registrar or senior house officer on duty in the hospital after 5pm. Previously a registrar would have worked with a SNO at night in the acute facility.

Dr Umbreen, who has worked as a registrar for the last two years, said she had decided to leave because the new rota didn’t suit her. Stating she was not in dispute with the HSE or local management, she acknowledged it had to be introduced to comply with the national EWTD.

Dr Kamal said he was leaving for “personal reasons”. Efforts to contact Dr Haroon proved unsuccessful.

The Mid-West HSE played down their departure stating “there is nothing unusual in doctors moving from one hospital to another”. “The employer is obliged to obey the law and in this case the European Working Time Directive,” said a HSE spokesman.

HSE West Forum member, Cllr Brian Meaney, described their departure as a “crushing blow” for local acute health services.