The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned that urgent cultural and systemic change is needed to convince non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) to stay practising in the Irish health system.

Monday, July 8 was Changeover Day, which sees NCHDs rotate to new hospitals for either three, six or 12 months, as well as being the first working day for newly qualified doctors.

The IMO has said that the ongoing recruitment freeze means that NCHDs are being forced to work even longer hours and additional shifts at very short notice. This pressure is exacerbating an already dismal working environment, which routinely sees NCHDs obliged to work excess hours in contravention of the European Working Time Directive.