This weeks report from the Royal College of Surgeons which states that the approximately 700 Irish doctors graduate from the six medical schools in Ireland each year is not enough to meet the demands of the Medical sector in Ireland as the percentage of the Irish Doctors on the medical register continues to fall .
This drop is a direct result of high rates of emigration among graduates of Irish medical schools ,which the College state are attracted by better working conditions, training and career opportunities in other English speaking countries and better working hours which comply with the European Working Time Directive .
The RSCI are concerned that ” efforts to put in place a specialist – delivered health service” are being undermined ‘
Recent overseas recruitment campaigns are now considered ineffective as many of the Non-EU doctors recruited as part of these campaigns are also leaving Ireland for better roles with progression and furthering development .
These issues are not unique to Ireland with a recent USA report predicting a ” troubling ” shortage of doctors in the US .This report from the Association of American Medical Colleges ( AAMC) predicts that a shortage of physicians in the US is going to grow worse .
The report estimates a shortfall ranging from 34,600 to 88,000 doctors by 2025 and by 2030 this shortfall is expected to total anywhere from 40,800 to 104,900 doctors .
As the number of Americans over the age of 65 will grow by 55 percent making this predicted shortage of doctors a source of real concern since as people age they typically need more health services.
Meanwhile in the UK the chronic shortage of Doctors there have left 4 million patients without cover last year .These figures have caused alarm about patient care in the NHS
The UK Government have committed to deliver 5,000 more GPs by 2020 however they have not stated how they are going to find these doctors .
A big concern has developed that Western countries will continue to attempt to hire doctors from poorer countries that can not afford to lose the limited supply that they currently have .
It is very clear that the demand that is currently demonstrated requires a major ramping up of College places and a serious review of the working conditions of Doctors in particular the hours worked by Junior Doctors in many countries .
