Long complaint investigations against doctors cause early retirement and poor mental heath, survey finds

President of the Irish Medical Council president and consultant paediatric intensivist and anaesthesiologist Suzanne Crowe previously told the 'Irish Examiner' she is aware investigations can take 'months or years' to conclude. Picture: Moya Nolan

Long investigations of complaints against doctors can be “cold and heartless”, with one in 10 doctors quitting medicine or retiring early, and one in eight having suicidal thoughts, a new survey shows.

Additionally, one in 10 said they experienced suicidal thoughts during their investigation, with one doctor’s case lasting seven years, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) has found.