Sir, – The recent news that the HSE is planning on recruiting doctors from eastern Europe to plug the gaps in the health service is a worrying development for many of us working in Irish hospitals ("HSE recruitment plans condemned", Home News, May 19th).
I wonder will they be treated with the same level of disregard that our skilled colleagues from south Asia were treated when they were recruited in recent years? Perhaps we should consider why Irish-trained doctors are leaving our hospitals before we trawl more countries for their precious resources.
Last week, a colleague of mine was told to find her own replacement for a 24-hour shift by a major Dublin teaching hospital. She had broken her arm.
Doctors are a global commodity. Until the HSE accepts this and treats us appropriately, Ireland and its people will continue to lose out. – Yours, etc,
Dr NIALL FEENEY,
Albany Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.