Anaesthetist shortage raises surgery risks

A long-term failure to ensure Ireland has enough anaesthetists in its hospitals is increasing the risk of serious medical mistakes during surgery and delaying vital treatment for patients.

The claim was made by the College of Anaesthetists of Ireland and the Association of Anaesthetists in Great Britain and Ireland after the first national audit of the sector.

According to the report, published in the latest edition of international medical journal Anaesthesia, Irish anaesthetists are being “overstretched” compared with their British counterparts due to serious staff shortages in the system.