Sir, – Dr Michael O'Mahony makes the point that we must now act to modernise our hospital infrastructure (Letters, January 19th).
More is needed.
We also need to consider the needs of the people who inhabit this infrastructure.
As an example, there are still well-known intern posts where it is routine and accepted that they work 13- to 14-hour shifts, Monday to Friday inclusive.
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How and why has this been tolerated?
Where is the safety concerns for patients and junior staff in these circumstances?
So, yes, it is time to modernise our hospitals but included in this must be the working conditions of the staff working within them. – Yours, etc,
Prof DAVID COTTER,
Consultant Psychiatrist,
Beaumont Hospital,
Dublin 9.