Madam, - The Hanly report states in Appendix 5 that we need 502 new doctors entering postgraduate education every year to supply the demand for GPs and hospital consultants.
Minister after Minister has sidestepped Dáil questions on the few places for Irish medical students, capped at 305 since 1980, by saying, "Wait for Hanly, wait for Hanly". Our Government has blithely ignored OECD policy that member-states aim for self-sufficiency in doctors.
Hanly has now spoken. CAO forms have to be completed by next January. Students, parents and career guidance counsellors - not to speak of patients without GPs - are waiting. - Yours, etc.,
ROISIN HEALY, Secretary,Medical School Entry Campaign, Park Drive, Dublin 6.