Paying with our health

Views are mixed about the likely impact on patient care of the number of healthcare workers taking early retirement, writes Susan Mitchell.

Some 84 hospital consultants are set to retire, adding to pressure on general surgery and anaesthesia. Photo: Getty
Some 84 hospital consultants are set to retire, adding to pressure on general surgery and anaesthesia. Photo: Getty

Minister for Health Dr James Reilly has said there are contingency plans across the health sector to manage the potential fallout from the number of employees taking early retirement.

But Sinn Féin described his claims as "fantasy", while Fianna Fáil warned that the government would be held responsible for a failure to provide the necessary contingency plans ...