Backlog of untreated respiratory diseases escalating, warns consultant

The number of people waiting to see a respiratory consultant has jumped to more than 21,000 (Andrew Matthews/PA)

A leading consultant has warned of a huge backlog of untreated respiratory diseases in Ireland as the health service grapples with Covid-19 cases.

Sweeping closures of services were introduced in March while other respiratory supports were dramatically scaled back to allow hospitals to cope with the surge in coronavirus patients.