The Government must address the health service’s “dire doctor shortages”, the Irish Medical Organisation has said in its pre-budget submission. 

Noting Ireland’s population continues to grow, the organisation calls for the number of consultants to increase from the current 4,200 to 6,000. 

It blames poor workforce planning for staff shortages and lengthy waiting lists, suggesting a further 5,000 acute beds are needed in the system by 2028. 

It also urges the Government to provide more nursing home beds and to re-model the financing of home care packages. 

An ambulance outside University Hospital Waterford. Photograph: RollingNews.ie

“This year, the Government has the chance to do what successive governments have failed to do for decades - implement radical reform of our health system for the good of patients,” IMO President Dr John Cannon said. 

“This is the only viable option for a service that has been chronically under-funded and under-resourced for generations. 

“We cannot accept another Budget which does not adequately address our significant capacity issues.”

Budget

The Government has said there will be “significant increases in expenditure” in the budget - thanks in part to surging levels of corporation tax receipts. 

A surplus of €10 billion is expected and the Government has said it will be used to create a State Wealth Fund - modelled on that created by Norway in the 90s after a bonanza of revenue from oil and gas. 

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe said there is a “moral aspect” to not spending the money all at once when corporation tax receipts could drop as quickly as they have risen.

Main image: A doctor with his patients.