NCHD dispute with HSE over dangerously long working hours - UPDATE

• IMO expresses grave disappointment with latest meeting with HSE on the issue

• As strike action looms, HSE propose another “working group”!

• Two sides to meet next week to plan for emergency cover in event of work stoppages

Friday 23rd August 2013. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has expressed “grave disappointment” with the outcome of a meeting with the HSE to discuss the dispute over NCHD working hours. The IMO is currently balloting NCHD members with a view to stepping up the campaign to force the HSE to respect the European Working Time Directive and reduce the “dangerously high working hours” faced by NCHDs. The IMO believes that these working hours (up to 100 hours a week) threaten the health and safety of both patients and NCHDs themselves.

Speaking today, Eric Young, IMO Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, said that the HSE was demonstrating contempt for the issue and was ill prepared to discuss solutions to the crisis; “Even though we are facing a real likelihood of industrial action in the coming weeks, the HSE response at this meeting was to propose another “working group” to explore the issue. This is a mere stalling tactic and is not facing up to the real problem of illegal working hours. The HSE did not even have up-to-date information on the extent of the overworking issue and they are completely ill prepared to discuss solutions.”

Mr Young said that the HSE team did acknowledge that they would have to engage all stakeholders in the system particularly hospital CEOs, Consultants and other groups if they were to achieve compliance with the EWTD. Yet that process of engagement has not even commenced.

Mr Young said that the HSE seemed “resigned to industrial action”. Both sides have agreed to meet next Monday, 26th August, to discuss contingency arrangements in the event of industrial action taking place.

- Ends