The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that those working in the medical profession should not take an extended Christmas holiday in order to alleviate the current overcrowding crisis at the nations hospitals.
Mr Varadkar who was responding to questioning by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin over the current bed shortage, claimed that the nations hospitals effectively close down over the two Christmas period.
The Taoiseach who also claimed that the current crisis is improving, told the Dail that those who work in specific fields such as radiology and laboratories should not take extended holidays in order to reduce the need for beds in hospitals.
Although he acknowledged that previous measures introduced to tackle the winter trolley crisis haven’t worked, Mr Varadkar said the need to keep medical personnel in A&E departments is greater than ever especially in the first week of January.
The Taoiseach’s comments come as the trolley crisis looks set to become one of the worst on record.
Speaking to the Dail Mr Varadkar said that previosuly figures and records have shown that the majority of medical personnel such as consultants and technicians have taken seven out of twelve days off over the Christmas period.
The Taoiseach added that those circumstances must not occur again if the country is to avoid similar scenarios to those in previous years.