Irish medical staff had more suicidal ideation during Covid than international peers

Just 29% of doctors said they had shown symptoms of PTSD compared to 57% of nurses and 73% of radiographers. Picture: iStock

“Concerning levels” of suicidal ideation were found among medical staff at hospitals in Dublin during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the findings of new medical research.

A study of almost 400 healthcare workers based in three large Dublin teaching hospitals – St James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital – showed that 13% admitted to having suicidal thoughts last year. In addition, 5% of all respondents reported having at least some plans to end their life.