The result of a ballot of non-consultant hospital doctor members of the IMO doctors for industrial action over long working hours for junior doctors will be known today.
The ballot of 2,000 non-consultant hospital doctors is expected to produce a large majority in favour of industrial action.
According to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) some junior doctors are working up to 100 hours a week, in part because the Health Service Executive has yet to implement an EU directive limiting the maximum working week to 48 hours. The IMO wants this to be introduced by the end of next year.
The IMO hasn’t said yet what level of industrial action it is planning, but it is likely to involve the withdrawal of cover across a range of hospital services, with only emergency care unaffected. A decision on the type of action will be taken tomorrow.
If they vote to take action the disruption of hospital services could start as early as this week after a meeting between junior doctors and the HSE failed to reach agreement on contingency plans in the event of industrial action.
Under the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) the practice of non consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) working excessively long shifts would be brought to an end.
The directive would ensure a maximum 24-hour shift for NCHDs, a maximum average working week of 48 hours on site, the removal of inappropriate non-clinical tasks and the payment of all hours worked through a clock-in system.
IMO assistant director of industrial relations Eric Young has said doctors across the country feel the time for industrial action has come.
“Feedback from doctors across the country is that they’ve had enough, the talking has gone on long enough and it is time to take action,” he said.