Recent data from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency has revealed a significant increase in applications from Irish healthcare staff seeking employment in Australia. Figures obtained by the Irish Daily Mail indicate that successful applications for the year 2022/23 have risen by 982, reaching close to 2,500 compared to 1,516 in the preceding year. This surge represents a remarkable 140% increase from the 1,045 applications finalised in 2018/19.
The total number of registered Irish medical professionals in Australia has reached 8,880, marking a notable rise of 2,204 since 2018/19. The release of these statistics coincides with concerns over a potential recruitment crisis in Ireland, as junior doctors threaten to ballot for industrial action in the face of the HSE’s recruitment freeze.
The Irish Medical Organisation, representing trainees, has warned that the embargo on hiring not only poses risks to patient care but also drives more healthcare professionals to seek opportunities abroad. The Australian government’s recruitment initiatives, including billboard campaigns near Irish hospitals, have further fueled the exodus.
Politicians and healthcare leaders have expressed apprehension about the increasing number of trained professionals leaving Ireland. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik emphasised the need for proactive steps to retain professionals, addressing concerns such as affordable housing and improved support for childcare and public services.
The figures also shed light on attitudes towards a common EU foreign policy and EU enlargement, as 70% of Irish respondents support a common EU foreign policy, and 58% are in favour of further EU enlargement, outpacing the respective EU averages.
The looming threat of staff shortages in Ireland, as highlighted by a survey indicating that nine in ten doctors perceive it as a significant threat to patient safety, adds urgency to the situation. Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane criticised the HSE’s recruitment embargo, suggesting it sends a discouraging message to Irish workers abroad and may prompt frustrated healthcare workers in Ireland to emigrate.
While the HSE has reported a year-to-date growth in employment levels, the significant rise in Irish healthcare professionals seeking opportunities in Australia underscores the pressing need for addressing recruitment challenges and retaining skilled professionals within the Irish healthcare system.
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