Excessive hours and poor working conditions key reasons doctors leave Ireland, study finds

Medical Council’s workforce data for 2023 suggests over a quarter (26.6%) of clinically active doctors in Ireland reported working more than 48 hours a week on average, while a further third (32.6%) said they worked between 40-48 hours a week.

A “substantial portion” of doctors in Ireland are close to retirement age, while excessive work hours and poor working conditions are among the key drivers for doctors leaving this country, a new report has found.

The Medical Council’s workforce data for 2023 suggests over a quarter (26.6%) of clinically active doctors in Ireland reported working more than 48 hours a week on average, while a further third (32.6%) said they worked between 40-48 hours a week.