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15/08/2013
IMO To Meet With EU Commission
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is to meet with the EU Commission on 12 September 2013 to discuss the Irish Government and HSE's ongoing failure to comply with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) in the Irish health system.
Previously, the IMO wrote to the EU Commission as part of its "24 No More" campaign to achieve EWTD Compliance. The Commission has confirmed to the IMO that it will investigate the complaints made by the IMO and will meet with the organisation to discuss the complaints in detail.
At present, Ireland and Greece are the only EU countries that have not fully implemented the EWTD.
Under the directive, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) are meant to be prevented from working in excess of 48 hours for each seven day period, yet the IMO has demonstrated that on average Irish NCHDs are working more than 63 hours per week and some are working for up to 100 hours in a week. NCHDs are routinely working 36-hour continuous shifts without adequate rest.
Last week the IMO began balloting NCHDs on industrial action to force the HSE and Irish Government to end dangerously long working hours that put patients and doctors at risk. The result of the ballot will be known on 2 September 2013.
IMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Mr Eric Young, said: "We welcome the fact that the EU Commission is prepared to investigate the Irish Government and the HSE's ongoing failure to protect patients and provide for safe working hours for doctors.
"It beggars belief that the Government is flying kites about potential Budget cuts while continuing to expose taxpayers to the risk of huge fines – perhaps in the order of hundreds of millions of euros - for non-compliance with the EU Working Time Directive.
"The exodus of doctors from the Irish health service to safer conditions in North America, Australia and New Zealand is a vivid illustration of the malaise that prevails in a broken system which does not treat NCHDs properly nor value the service they provide."
(CD/JP)
Previously, the IMO wrote to the EU Commission as part of its "24 No More" campaign to achieve EWTD Compliance. The Commission has confirmed to the IMO that it will investigate the complaints made by the IMO and will meet with the organisation to discuss the complaints in detail.
At present, Ireland and Greece are the only EU countries that have not fully implemented the EWTD.
Under the directive, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) are meant to be prevented from working in excess of 48 hours for each seven day period, yet the IMO has demonstrated that on average Irish NCHDs are working more than 63 hours per week and some are working for up to 100 hours in a week. NCHDs are routinely working 36-hour continuous shifts without adequate rest.
Last week the IMO began balloting NCHDs on industrial action to force the HSE and Irish Government to end dangerously long working hours that put patients and doctors at risk. The result of the ballot will be known on 2 September 2013.
IMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Mr Eric Young, said: "We welcome the fact that the EU Commission is prepared to investigate the Irish Government and the HSE's ongoing failure to protect patients and provide for safe working hours for doctors.
"It beggars belief that the Government is flying kites about potential Budget cuts while continuing to expose taxpayers to the risk of huge fines – perhaps in the order of hundreds of millions of euros - for non-compliance with the EU Working Time Directive.
"The exodus of doctors from the Irish health service to safer conditions in North America, Australia and New Zealand is a vivid illustration of the malaise that prevails in a broken system which does not treat NCHDs properly nor value the service they provide."
(CD/JP)
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17 October 2013
IMO Recommend Acceptance Of LRC Deal On Working Hours
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has recommended acceptance of a new deal proposed by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), which aims to settle the ongoing dispute of hospital doctors working hours. Following extensive talks between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the IMO, the LRC made their recommendations to the groups yesterday.
IMO Recommend Acceptance Of LRC Deal On Working Hours
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has recommended acceptance of a new deal proposed by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), which aims to settle the ongoing dispute of hospital doctors working hours. Following extensive talks between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the IMO, the LRC made their recommendations to the groups yesterday.
15 October 2013
HSE And IMO Resume Working Hours Talks
Talks have resumed this morning between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation over the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors. The organisations are meeting at the Labour Relations Commission in an attempt to resolve the ongoing dispute over working hours.
HSE And IMO Resume Working Hours Talks
Talks have resumed this morning between the Health Service Executive and the Irish Medical Organisation over the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors. The organisations are meeting at the Labour Relations Commission in an attempt to resolve the ongoing dispute over working hours.
08 August 2013
IMO Ballot Doctors Over Working Hours
Some 2,000 non-consultant hospital doctors are to be balloted over action aiming to tackle long working hours. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) wants the Health Service Executive to fully implement the European Working Time Directive, which limits working time to no more than 48 hours a week.
IMO Ballot Doctors Over Working Hours
Some 2,000 non-consultant hospital doctors are to be balloted over action aiming to tackle long working hours. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) wants the Health Service Executive to fully implement the European Working Time Directive, which limits working time to no more than 48 hours a week.
16 July 2013
Doctors Launch Campaign Over Long Working Hours
A campaign has been launched by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) to reduce working hours, which they claim are "dangerously long". The campaign, called '24 No More – Enough is Enough', hopes to tackle the long work hours of NCHDs, and is reportedly supported by some 2,000 Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) doctors.
Doctors Launch Campaign Over Long Working Hours
A campaign has been launched by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) to reduce working hours, which they claim are "dangerously long". The campaign, called '24 No More – Enough is Enough', hopes to tackle the long work hours of NCHDs, and is reportedly supported by some 2,000 Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) doctors.
07 October 2013
Doctors' Strike Set To Continue
A national strike by non-consultant hospital doctors is due to continue into tomorrow, according the the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) The strike, over what the IMO says are unsafe working hours, could see about 15,000 public hospital appointments cancelled and is expected to affect 12,000 out-patient appointments and 3,000 planned operations.
Doctors' Strike Set To Continue
A national strike by non-consultant hospital doctors is due to continue into tomorrow, according the the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) The strike, over what the IMO says are unsafe working hours, could see about 15,000 public hospital appointments cancelled and is expected to affect 12,000 out-patient appointments and 3,000 planned operations.
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Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
