Why doctors are leaving our shores

Sir, – Your headline “Too many Irish doctors leaving” (Home News, April 12th) is not surprising.

The staggering statistic of more than 2,800 doctors withdrawing from the medical register is bad enough, but the reasons given are even more disturbing, including “lack of respect by senior colleagues, lack of flexible training options etc”.

That these doctors are voting with their feet is to be expected. Add to this the huge disparity in pay rates for consultants appointed since 2012 and you have a perfect storm. Is it any wonder that one in five permanent consultant posts remain unfilled? This crisis in our medical system is a sad reflection on all concerned, however hopes of a solution are as far away as ever. – Yours, etc,

TADHG McCARTHY,

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Bray, Co Wicklow.