Doctors refuse to rule out more industrial action

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has said further industrial action in the dispute over working hours of non- consultant hospital doctors has not been taken off the table.

Arriving for talks at the Labour Relations Commission today, head of industrial relations at the IMO Steve Tweed said the union’s campaign had only been suspended.

He said the IMO was at the talks to listen to proposals put forward by health service management on the sanctions that should apply in cases where new working time rules were breached in the future.

Mr Tweed said the IMO’s non-consultant hospital doctor committee was scheduled to meet at 6 pm to consider whatever emerged from the talks.

He said the HSE had written to the IMO yesterday and accepted that there would have to be provision for financial sanctions where breaches of the rules occurred.

He said the IMO wanted to hear what the HSE had to say on the issue today.

The HSE’s head of human resources Barry O’Brien said he was hopeful a solution could be found that would bring stability and certainty to the health service and remove the risk of further industrial action.

However he again ruled out any financial sanctions for breaching working time rules that involved the payment of additional money to doctors.

He said this was precluded by existing agreements including the Haddington Road deal.

The doctors’ strike followed weeks of failed negotiations with the HSE over shifts that run for more than 24 hours.

Dr Reilly said the only difference between the parties seemed to be in relation to the sanctions that would apply if the new restrictions on working hours for non-consultant doctors were breached. The HSE was prepared to discuss sanctions, he said.

Last week the IMO declined to take part in further talks.Options that the IMO could examine include a further stoppage next week for one or two days .

Dr Reilly said that about 7,400 patients had been affected by the strike. These patients either had elective – non-urgent – procedures deferred or appointments at outpatient clinics postponed.

Eric Young, assistant director of industrial relations at the IMO, said the strike had enormous support from non-consultant hospital doctors across the country.

“Picket lines at hospitals up and down the country were full of non-consultant hospital doctors . . . Our members are united and strong and determined to see this campaign through to a successful conclusion.”