Sir, - Not only is Kevin Myers (An Irishman's Diary, July 1st) right about Irish doctors vanishing from these shores because of inhuman work hours, but they are quitting medicine. This is a huge drain on this State's resources. Can anyone imagine a rail-worker (for example) being satisfied with getting new workhours over a period of 13 years. Can anyone imagine workers (however unskilled) willing to work 120 hours a week?
It is a clear abuse of the health of junior doctors and ergo of the patients they treat. Doctors should never be robots. Consultants can delegate. It is not enough to say: "We all did it." It was always wrong and remains wrong - the more so because we live in a different society. Young doctors should "get a life" No wonder so many of them are sick doctors and remain sick for life (alcohol and other crutches being addictive). It is a disgrace. - Yours, etc.,
Alice Johnson, Merrion Village, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4