Dr. Rachel McNamara:

Let me clarify the position on the ten days. The period was brought into the agreement because we wanted to make sure that if you were working for ten days in a row, you would be guaranteed not to be working on the 11th day. The 11th is an unpaid rest day; it is just compensation for having to work ten days in a row. From our studies, we have learned that nearly 70% of people report that what should be happening is not happening for them. We have clear, cold evidence that, in the statutory hospitals alone, over €1 million in compensatory rest payments have been paid out. The measure has not been invoked in the order of 100%.

The mood on the ground is absolutely desperate. We heralded the agreement as a really significant step in eradicating the problem but immediately it was turned around and not implemented. As Ms Clyne said, it has not been implemented by any metric. When you see there is no follow-through on measures like this, it just erodes trust. Some 80% of our interns, once they complete medical school, leave to go to the likes of Australia and New Zealand. When there is a recruitment embargo in place, when agreements are being breached and when there is no guarantee of rest, you are not going to come back. We have evidence that the work–life balance is so much better in the likes of Australia. Why would you come back? So many are leaving. It is way too tempting to stay in a system that will support you and in which you will have a life and be able to deliver the care you want to deliver without putting people at risk because you are too tired or not supported to deliver care appropriately.