Increase in college places could mean 1,400 more medical and veterinary professionals

The Irish Medical Organisation has warned patient and doctor health is now in danger because of the gap between the number of doctors needed and the numbers available.

A significant expansion in third-level college places could see Ireland train almost 1,400 more doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and vets each year.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has recommended that significant expansion in healthcare and veterinary medicine training could result in an increase of more than 5,000 new third-level enrolments.