Stress is causing young Irish doctors to leave and work abroad, the incoming President of the Irish Medical Organisation has said. 

The organisation's annual AGM begins today and will focus on recruitment and retainment within the healthcare sector.

The IMO estimates 20% of all consultant positions within the HSE are currently vacant and almost 90% of junior doctors frequently work overtime with have no certainty as to their work schedule. 

Incoming IMO President Dr Denis McCauley believes they deserve much better treatment.

“Young doctors, who are the people we are trying to talk into staying in Ireland and working in Ireland, are going on wards [and] their workload is excessive,” he said. 

“They’re getting no job satisfaction, they’re so, so stressed that they’re worried about making mistakes because they’re tired.  

“So, I think they’re recognising that at the beginning of their journey, that perhaps Ireland isn’t the place for them.” 

Obesity

Dr McCauley also called for a new approach to tackling the issue of obesity within Irish society. 

“[There should be] policies - not just medical but social policies - that can counteract [obesity],” he said. 

“There are people who have a natural inability to lose weight easily; we have to look at different ways we can help these people put in place easily accessible services for them.” 

According to the HSE, some 60% of Irish people are overweight.

Main image: Doctor sitting on the floor.