IMO criticises HSE for failing to produce concrete proposals as prospect of NCHD industrial action looms

- IMO will cooperate fully with providing emergency cover during industrial action

- Sufficient notice, within statutory limits, will be provided to the HSE to allow contingency arrangements to be put in place

- Both sides to meet again this Thursday

Monday 26 August 2013 – The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has criticised the HSE for not producing concrete proposals to deal with the serious issue of illegal working hours and looming industrial action. Both sides met today to discuss the issue and agree contingency plans to safeguard patients in the event of industrial action by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs).

No agreement was reached on contingency plans at today’s meeting, which means they will require further clarification when the nature of the proposed industrial action is decided by the IMO after theballot result on 2nd September.

The IMO said it will cooperate fully with providing emergency cover during any industrial action and that sufficient notice, within statutory limits, will be provided to the HSE to allow contingency arrangements to be put in place.

The IMO also said it will establish a National Strike Committee to allow liaison between the HSE and these doctors in the event of industrial action.
IMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations Eric Young said: “We have been prepared to make every effort to resolve this issue but we cannot agree to further stalling tactics. After 10 years it is surely now time to address the problem once and for all. This is a problem for patients and doctors alike”

Mr Young said it is disappointing that no concrete proposals were put forward by the HSE to address the core issues at the heart of the 24 No More campaign to end illegal and dangerously long working hours for NCHDs:

1. An immediate end to shifts in excess of 24 hours in the first instance – this poses the most significant risk to patient safety and the welfare of NCHDs

2. Agreement for a planned move to compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWHD) by the end of 2014

“It is clear that this is not a priority issue for the HSE,” said Mr Young. “Doctors are in effect being treated worse than any other workers in the health services with these unacceptable dangerous working hours. We hope that at our meeting on Thursday, the HSE will have some realistic proposals that we can actually consider. Doctors deserve more respect and patients deserve a better service.”

- Ends