Patients could face longer waits as medical secretaries retire during HSE recruitment freeze 

Eddie Walsh  with protesting HSE clerical and administrative staff outside CUH last December. Picture: Chani Anderson

Patients could face longer waits for appointments as retired medical secretaries are not being replaced due to the HSE recruitment freeze, Fórsa has warned.

Medical secretaries manage clinics, admissions, and day cases for consultants, and share patient information with other doctors if needed. They manage patients’ charts and communication between the consultant, the patient, and their GP, among other activities.