1. In view of the fact that the WHO and the WMA have both stated that climate change is the greatest single threat to human health this century, the IMO urges an immediate and focused proactive response by the HSE, Department of Health and the Irish Government in order to ensure sustainability and efficiency in dealing with this impending crisis in line with international best practice.

Proposer: Dr Philip Michael Seconder: Dr Elizabeth Cullen

Status : Carried

2. The IMO calls on the Department of Health to support a media campaign to highlight the causes of dental decay, namely poor diet and inadequate dental hygiene, and as fluoride is freely available in many dental products calls for a cessation of the practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water.

Proposer: Dr Elizabeth Cullen Seconder: Dr Philip Michael

Status : Defeated

3. The IMO deplores the lack of appropriate acute detoxification facilities for those with alcohol and benzodiazepine dependency and calls on the Minister for Health to issue to timeframe within which this burgeoning problem will be addressed.

Proposer: Dr Siobhan Barry Seconder: Dr Larkin Feeney

Status : Carried as Amended

Amendment::

3. The IMO deplores the lack of appropriate acute treatment facilities for those with alcohol and benzodiazepine dependency and calls on the Minister for Health to issue to timeframe within which this burgeoning problem will be addressed.

4. The IMO deplores the inequitable distribution of resources, both human and financial, in the mental health services as evidenced by the HSE Mental Health Division Operational Plan 2014 and calls on the Minister for Health to issue a statement justifying such inequity.

Proposer: Dr Siobhan Barry Seconder: Dr Larkin Feeney

Status : Carried

5. The IMO calls on the Departments of Health and Environment to urgently address the issue of those enduring mental illness and those discharged from the National Forensic Hospital, who need long term supported accommodation and to make good this deficiency.

Proposer: Dr Siobhán Barry Seconder: Dr Larkin Feeney

Status : Carried

6. The IMO calls on the Minister for Health to request that the Mental Health Commission audit the adequacy of facilities available for the physical monitoring of outpatients prescribed long term psychotropic medications.

Proposer: Dr Siobhan Barry Seconder: Dr Larkin Feeney

Status : Carried

7. The IMO calls on the Department of Health and Children and Youth Affairs to provide financial support to local and regional drugs task forces to address child and family related drug problems.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carries as amended

Amendement:

7. The IMO calls on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to provide financial support to local and regional drugs task forces and social services to address child and family related drug problems.

8. The IMO calls on the Minister for Health to establish an expert committee to examine the effects, both positive and negative, of cannabis use and production in Ireland in order to help eliminate the illicit trade in psychoactive products.

Proposer: Dr Cathal O’Sullivan Seconder: Dr Garrett McGovern

Status : Carried

9. The IMO welcomes the publication of Tobacco Free Ireland and supports the recommendations therein to reduce smoking prevalence to less than 5% by 2025. As a first step the IMO calls on the Minister for Finance to increase the price of a packet of 20 cigarettes by at least €1 and all other tobacco products on a pro rata basis.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carried

10. The IMO will ensure that all of its premises are tobacco free by end 2014.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carried

11. In view of the Law Society’s opposition to the introduction of plain packaging of tobacco products, the Department of Health and the agencies it funds, the Medical Council and Medical Professional Bodies should, when engaging legal services, require a statement that the company or legal practitioner is not in receipt of fees, including retention fees, from the tobacco industry, its agent or representatives.

Proposer: IMO Public Health Doctor Committee

Status : Defeated

12. The IMO calls on the Government to implement the National Alcohol Strategy without delay and take immediate action to ban sponsorship and promotion of sports by the alcohol industry and to introduce Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol products.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carried

13. The IMO calls on the Minister for Finance to insist that alcohol producers pay a levy on the health damage that their products cause and that the proceeds of such a levy be given to the Department of Health to spend on treatment of alcohol related health problems.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carried

14. Until minimum unit pricing for alcohol is introduced in Ireland the licensing and planning process for large outdoor musical events should be expanded so that local communities have a right to an oral hearing during the application process.

Proposer: Prof Joe Barry Seconder: Dr Declan Bedford

Status : Carried as amended

Amendement:

14. The licensing and planning process for large outdoor musical events should be expanded so that local communities have a right to an oral hearing during the application process.

15. The IMO calls upon the Government and the Minister for Health to introduce statutory ethical guidelines for all managers in the health services so as to ensure that all decisions are made based on the best available evidence and with the best interest and safety of patients paramount.

Proposer: Dr Matthew Sadlier Seconder: Dr Ray Walley

Status : Carried as amended

The IMO calls upon the Government and the Minister for Health to introduce statutory ethical guidelines, which would specifically include collection of data guidelines, for all managers in the health services so as to ensure that all decisions are made based on the best available evidence and with the best interest and safety of patients paramount.

16. The IMO calls on the Government to create a pledge that all elected representatives may sign up to which creates a commitment that all health care related decisions will be made based on the best available evidence and in the best interest and safety of patients.

Proposer: Dr Matthew Sadlier Seconder: Dr Ray Walley

Status : Carried

17. The IMO calls on the Minister for Health, the HSE, Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to:
a) Provide the public with clarity in relation to the proposed site of the National Children’s Hospital 
b) Give an assurance that taxpayers money is not being spent developing a proposal in relation to a site that will ultimately not be delivered upon.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

18. The IMO calls on the Minister for Health to urgently regulate the provision of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical services in the interest of patient safety.

Proposer: IMO International Affairs Committee

Status : Carried

19. The IMO calls on the Minister for Health to urgently publish guidelines in respect of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

Proposer: Dr Matthew Sadlier Seconder: Dr Ray Walley

Status : Carried

20. This meeting states that FEMPI legislation undermines the principle of collective bargaining and the rights of Trade Union members in circumstances where Government Ministers have the power to unilaterally vary terms and conditions of employment. The IMO notes that there is no place for this anti trade union legislation and calls on Government to repeal all FEMPI legislation.

Proposer: Dr Ray Walley Seconder: Dr Matthew Sadlier

Status : Carried

Prescription Charges

21. This meeting condemns Prescription Charges, and in particular the draconian 500% increase in those charges in recent years. We call on the Minister for Health to immediately abandon this regressive policy in circumstances where the medical evidence does not support prescription charges.

Proposer: North Dublin GP Branch

Status : Carried

22. This meeting notes the ongoing overcrowding of Irish Hospitals and proposes that no patient should be subject to a stay in excess of 6 hours in the Emergency Department.

Proposer: Consultants Committee

Status : Carried

23. This meeting calls on the HSE to implement a policy in respect of patients being discharged from secondary care as follows:
a) That there be a standard discharge letter giving details of all medication started and stopped during admission and
b) That all patients are given a copy of the letter on the date of discharge so as to ensure safe continuity of care.

Proposer: North East GP Branch

Status : Carried as amended

Amendment:

This meeting calls on the HSE to implement existing policies in respect of patients being discharged from secondary care as follows:
a) That there be a standard discharge letter giving details of all medication started and stopped during admission and
b) That all patients are given a copy of the letter on the date of discharge so as to ensure safe continuity of care.Such policies should be audited

24. The IMO calls on the HSE and the Department of Health to address the issue of outstanding Graduate Entry Medical Student loans, in light of the savings brought around through Haddington Road and the October 2013 Agreement.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

25. Arising from an EGM of the IMO held on 23rd March 2013 a Motion was passed to extend the scope of the review then underway to a full prospective Governance Review of the IMO. This was to bring to Council a series of recommendations which, if implemented, would ensure that the concern of the membership in connection with the governance and structures of the IMO would be fully and comprehensively addressed. Council has received the recommendations of the Governance Committee and commissioned a new Constitution and Rules of the IMO to comply with those recommendations. Council of the IMO hereby proposes the adoption of the new Constitution and Rules of the IMO together with the adoption of a Code of Practice dealing with operational issues as recommended by the Governance Committee. The new Constitution and Rules of the IMO are to take the form of the Rules as published (subject only to minor alterations or adjustments that may be sought or required by the Register of Friendly Societies in discharge of its statutory functions) and the Code of Practice as set out.

Proposer: Council of the Irish Medical Organisation

Status: Carried

26. Council of the Irish Medical Organisation has sought tenders for a retrospective review of matters in the IMO, the terms of reference for such a review being adopted at an EGM in March 2013. Council deferred the appointment of a firm to undertake the review given the serious financial and legal implications of such an exercise for the Organisation and undertook to put these matters to the wider membership. Council propose that the matter of appointing a firm and proceeding with the Retrospective Review be determined through a ballot of the IMO membership whereby members will be given a summary of the issues involved and asked to vote either for or against appointing a firm to conduct the Retrospective Review.

Proposer: Council of the Irish Medical Organisation

Status:Carried

27. This meeting demands that the IMO delivers on the EGM Motion for a formal review relating to the pension arrangements of the former Chief Executive.

Proposer: North East GP Branch

Status: Defeated

28. This meeting proposes, to prevent erosion of the IMO membership, to restore and maintain the confidence and trust of the membership, that the Retrospective Review, as agreed at the EGM, should proceed without further delay.

Proposer: Sligo/Leitrim GP Branch

Status: Withdrawn

29. This meeting proposes that, following the refusal of the IMO Council to hold an EGM of the IMO on foot of a request duly signed by in excess of 120 members requesting an EGM as outlined in the Rules of the IMO and the subsequent holding of an EGM organised by IMO Council and the failure of the Council to take action over the last year on the motions passed at their own EGM in respect of a retrospective review, a committee will be appointed by the IMO Council, made up of members elected from this meeting to oversee the implementation of the promised retrospective review.

Proposer: Dr Cathal O’Sullivan Seconder: Dr Garrett McGovern

Status: Withdrawn

30. The IMO condemns the exploitation of, and discrimination against, the doctors recruited to the Supervised Division of the Medical Register and calls for the abolition of the Supervised Division.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

31. The IMO calls on the Medical Council to allow doctors on the Supervised Division of the Medical Register to transfer to the General Register or the Trainee Specialist Division.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

32. The IMO calls on the Medical Council to provide immediate clarity to International Medical Graduates wishing to transfer from the General Division to the Trainee Specialists Division of the Medical Register so as to maintain essential numbers of doctors within the health service to provide safe patient care.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

33. The IMO calls on the Medical Council to ensure that the good name of any doctor brought before the Council or against whom proceedings are initiated, is maintained, pending the outcome of the proceedings.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

Haddington Road Agreement

34. The IMO NCHD Committee supports the IMO Consultants Committee in their efforts to eliminate a two tier consultant workforce.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

35. The IMO calls on the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service to reverse the change to the rules regarding immigration for non EEA doctors, particularly in light of the staffing crisis affecting our hospitals.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

36. That the HSE proactively develop a culture of positive reinforcement, where all staff treat each other with respect and speak to each other in a more courteous manner with positive reinforcement and less unnecessary criticism and belittlement. 

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried as amended

Amendment:

The IMO calls on the HSE to practically develop a culture of positive reinforcement among all staff by introducing a positive dignity and respect programme.

37. The IMO calls on training bodies to implement standardised training across departments, specialities and hospitals addressing such issues as who gives the training, how many hours per week, opportunistic teaching and learning, time spent on non clinical service work etc. Such standardised training will address current inconsistencies considering differing service needs, consultant workload and burden of NCHD work.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried as amended

Amendedment:

The IMO calls on training bodies to implement standardised training across departments, specialities and hospitals addressing such issues as who gives the training, how many hours per week, opportunistic teaching and learning, time spent on non clinical service work etc. Such standardised training will address current inconsistencies taking into account differing service needs, consultant workload and burden of NCHD work.

38. The IMO calls on the Medical Council to hold Post Graduate Training Bodies to account on the issue of the standardisation of training.

Proposer: IMO NCHD Committee

Status : Carried

39. In light of the potential difficulties implementing a Dutch model of universal health insurance and the possibility that it will fail in the Irish context, the IMO calls on the Government to consider other mechanisms to achieve universal health and to facilitate a national debate on this issue.

Proposer: Dr Mark Murphy Seconder: Dr Cillian Clancy

Status : Carried

40. The IMO calls upon Government to amend the Health Act to create a coalition of frontline staff who may be able to commission HIQA to conduct an inquiry into issues of patient safety.

Proposer: IMO Consultants Committee

Status : Carried as amended

Amendment:

The IMO calls upon Government to amend the relevant legislation to create a coalition of frontline staff who may be able to commission HIQA and the mental commission to conduct an inquiry into issues of patient safety.

41. The IMO calls upon the Minister for Health to request HIQA to conduct an inquiry into the service and patient safety implications of the current crisis of retaining and recruiting doctors in the Irish Health Service.

Proposer: IMO Consultants Committee

Status : Carried as amended

Amendment:

The IMO calls upon the Minister for Health to request HIQA and the Mental Health Commission to conduct an inquiry into the service and patient safety implications of the current crisis of retaining and recruiting doctors in the Irish Health Service.

42. The IMO endorses the revised WMA Declaration of Helsinki – Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects and calls on HIQA in its new role as supervisory body for Research Ethics Committees to ensure that these principles are adhered to.

Proposer: IMO International Affairs Committee

Status : Carried

43. This meeting calls on the Minister for Health to provide effective arrangements and guidelines to ensure that doctors who become aware of issues adversely affecting the quality or safety of services, or have a suggestion for improvement are facilitated and protected in drawing attention to such a matter by both internal and external governance arrangements.

Proposer: IMO Consultants Committee

Status : Carried

44. The IMO Consultants Committee calls on the Department of Health to engage in full and meaningful negotiations with the IMO on behalf of our colleagues in General Practice to produce a new GMS contract that addresses both the needs of patients and those who deliver the care.

Proposer: Consultants Committee

Status : Carried