27/08/2013

HSE Fail To Reach Agreement With Junior Doctors

Discussions between junior doctors and the Health Services Executive ended yesterday (26 August) when they failed to reach an agreement over possible industrial action in a dispute over long working hours.

Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) are in dispute with the HSE over what the Irish Medical Organisation say are "illegal and dangerously long" working hours. They have called for the introduction of an EU directive limiting the maximum working week to 48 hours by the end of next year.

The NCHD members of the IMO are currently being balloted over possible industrial action; the ballot will close on Monday.

It is understood that the scale on any industrial action has not yet been decided, but it will likely involve the withdrawal of cover across a range of hospital services, with only emergency care unaffected.

The likelihood of industrial action was confirmed when it was revealed that the IMO had established a national strike committee, who is responsible for liaising between the two sides during any industrial dispute.

(MH/JP)

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