THERE HAS BEEN a fall in the number of complaints made against doctors, but 10% of young doctors left the system last year.
Overall, there were 400 complaints made against doctors in 2013, down 23 on 2012. 32 cases were brought to fitness to practice inquiries, with 25 held in public. Four doctors were struck off.
In 2013, there were 1,575 new doctors registered to the Medical Council, bringing the total number of doctors in Ireland to 18,160.
The report shows that 32% of Irish doctors are between 25 and 32, but preliminary data from the council’s forthcoming report on the medical workforce shows that 10% of doctors aged 25-29 chose to leave the medical register in 2013. In response, the council has undertaken the first ever national trainee experience survey, to measure views on issues such as career intentions, the learning environment, health and wellbeing and emigration.
Medical Council CEO, Caroline Spillane said that the council has to work to replace those doctors.
“Our resources are constantly focused on developing doctors and then trying to replace them, as we screen new applicants to the medical register.
“We all recognise the need to keep talented doctors within the Irish health service and there needs to be a continued system-wide focus on making sure the working environment in Ireland encourages the best and brightest doctors to practise here.”
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