Photo: Getty Images By Contributor 3rd March 2021
Respiratory healthcare services have been under an inordinate degree of pressure since the emergence of Covid-19 a year ago, writes
Dr Marcus Kennedy, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Cork University Hospital and Treasurer, Irish Thoracic Society and
Suzanne McCormack, Chief Executive Officer, Irish Thoracic Society
Soon after the onset of the first wave, the extent to which Covid-19 would increase the burden on already over-stretched respiratory healthcare services became abundantly clear. However, the impact of the third wave in terms of increased illness, increased hospitalisations, loss of life and reduced non-Covid-19 healthcare services is something none of us could have imagined 12 months ago and the repercussions will remain with us for a long time to come.