The Irish Medical Organisation has told the Special Committee on Covid-19 that the State should ensure adequate supplies of Personal Protection Equioment by stockpiling reserves to prepare for a possible future surge.
In a submission to politicians the organisation said Ireland cannot again risk having to compete in a "global scramble" for PPE.
The IMO also said "reilience rosters" are required to cover close contact exclusion and healthcare workers absent due to illness.
Resilience rosters appeared to protect workplaces from outbreaks, given the culture of staff going to work while symptomatic with Covid-19 because of perceived obligations to their colleagues.