More than 800 non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) have written to Minister for Health James Reilly warning they may be forced to seek work abroad due to the Minister’s policies on consultants.
The 800 supported a "write-in" campaign by the Irish Medical Organisation in which symbolic flight boarding passes were signed by the doctors to indicate they were considering working abroad rather than staying in the Irish healthcare system.
Dr Mark Murphy, chair of the NCHD committee at the IMO said: "We are approaching a crossroads for the NCHD grade in the Irish healthcare services.
"There is deep unease amongst my colleagues that medicine is becoming a tainted profession and that there is an agenda to portray the medical profession as though they are driven by greed."
IMO president Dr Paul McKeown said: "These figures represent a deep well of disquiet and apprehension amongst some of the most talented and skilled young professionals in this country and they make me fear for the future delivery of medical care in our health service.
"We have put in place a policy that is leading to the export of our brightest and best and while we may not feel the repercussions for a few years, I have no doubt that our health service will suffer if these figures become a reality."
"NCHDs are the source of our specialist physicians and surgeons in Ireland. These doctors have been educated and trained here yet more and more are now planning not just to spend a few years abroad but to permanently relocate overseas.
"That is disastrous for this country.”