IMO continuing to prepare for junior doctor strike action

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has said that it is continuing with plans for strike action by non-consultant hospital doctors from later this month over long working hours.

Talks between the HSE and the IMO on the issue commenced today at the Labour Relations Commission.

However the IMO said that health service management did not present any proposals at the talks.

The IMO said the HSE would not be able to present proposals until next Monday and that the parties would re-convene on Tuesday.

Separately the IMO said it would be meeting with meeting with officials from the European Commission on Thursday regarding its investigation into the working hours of non-consultant hospital doctors in Ireland.

As part of its dispute the doctors are seeking an immediate end to shifts runnings to more than 24 hours and are also looking for the HSE to agree a detailed plan on achieving compliance with EU rules on working hours.

The IMO is planning a national strike by non-consultant hospital doctors on September 25th.