There could be further delay for patients on waiting lists for surgery as health workers are opting for early retirement, suggest reports. Even the same fear has been shared by Health Minister Dr. James Reilly, who admitted that there are laxities on the part of the government as they have not been able to manage the drop in elective (non-emergency) in-patient procedures.

"But we will increase our productivity toward the middle of the year, because I have made it very clear that the new challenge this year is that every patient be treated within nine months", assured the Health Minister.

Thus, all those who were thinking to get an appointment next month would surely have to wait further. For, as many as 3,700 health staff in various grades would be going in for premature retirement next month under the Government's early retirement scheme. Since September, over 1,400 have gone for the same and more are likely to follow the suite by the end of this month.

If recent reports are to be referred, as many as 8,118 may quit the entire public service by February 29, though the figure was estimated to be around 7,700 earlier. The rise could be seen as a sign of worry as there would have to be alternative steps taken or else the patients could be at the risk of facing limited healthcare.

There was considerable impact seen on the University College Hospital in Galway where many nurses left midway, leaving the orthopaedic surgeons seeking immediate support.

There is no doubt that nurses do have a role to play in stabilizing the healthcare system, it is necessary that government do make considerable arrangement for dealing with such contingencies. There should not be any compromise done as far as health care of patients is concerned.