By Iqra Siddiqui

Several Doctors from diverse backgrounds in Ireland said frequent hospital rotations upend their lives, posing commuting challenges and an endless search for accommodation amid the housing crisis.

According to the HSE rotation scheme, hospital doctors must relocate to a new hospital after three or six months, which some healthcare professionals say can create instability.

One Doctor, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity, works at Naas General Hospital. “I have been working in Irish hospitals for about six months. I did two rotations in Tallaght and the first in Naas,” they said.

“The scheme professionally helps me understand the different hospital systems and provides a chance to work within multiple teams.”

“However, when I was coming to Naas, I couldn’t find any appropriate accommodation, so I rented a place in Dublin. Commuting added travel expenses and stress.”

A doctor also claimed that these commutes can be lengthy for some other medical professionals. “Some travel between Galway and Sligo,” they said. “That’s a long distance, and you can’t commute, so you often need accommodation.”

Regarding the short duration of these rotations, they highlighted the lack of a chance to settle, as well as the need for support from the Irish Government.

“It just feels like you just settled in and a month later, you are leaving. It’s a very short rotation.”

“I think longer rotations would be better. The Government needs to make allowances for travel expenses and accommodation.”

A doctor based at the Mater Private Network shared this sentiment, claiming that “the Government should extend the rotation period and provide accommodation support.”

Another doctor at Cork University Hospital said: “It is my 6th rotation and I was not given an extension for more than a year.”

“It takes three months to adjust, and it’s hard to learn new surgical skills when consultants don’t know you,” they said.

This is much like the experience of a non-national doctor in Naas, who is on their second rotation within two years.

“We expect changes; the scheme should introduce more structured plans that lead to progress. We are just working and are obliged to pack bags and move around.”

“I think we should be given 4 to 5 years for one rotation rather than 6 months or a year to move around,” they said.

Other doctors said moving with a family to unfamiliar cities is tough. One internationally-trained surgical registrar at Naas Hospital said:

“Initially, I was not married, so it was not that hard to move, but I am married now, and I have a wife. And relocating with her poses challenges in finding suitable accommodation.”

He continued: “I believe it should be a doctor’s choice to move to another hospital, and it should not be imposed.”

A doctor working at Tallaght University Hospital said, “Every time, it is frustrating to figure out how things are done in each hospital.”

Another doctor at an Irish Hospital also added: “Rotation is something personal, you get experience, but you travel, and you spend a lot of time travelling.

“When you are on duty until 10:00 late at night and then commute to Dublin, it is very tiring for the next day. It gives you mental pressure,” they said.

A Psychiatry Registrar details that the social and emotional toll that the rotations can have is often negative.

“Frequent rotations impact friendships and relationships. But it is less complicated as I have no children or family compared to my colleague, who has,” they added.

“On top of that, every consultant has their own expectations and working style, so it often takes weeks to understand how to function in a new team, and by the time you fully settle into a job, it’s often time to move to the next rotation,” they said

These doctors are representative of the larger continuous cycle of healthcare staff relocating from one hospital to another.

Many doctors continue to urge the authorities to introduce relief plans that extend the rotation period and assist them with housing to combat this ongoing issue.