Strike by junior doctors escalates

THE strike by junior doctors escalated yesterday after they refused re-enter labour relations talks until their old rostering agreements are put back in place.

Round-table talks between the Irish Medical Organisation, which represents the country’s non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD’S), hospital managers and the South Eastern Health Board broke down after lunch yesterday without a resolution.

The suspension means that more than 120 junior doctors in Waterford and more than 50 in Tullamore, Co Offaly, will go back on the picket line today. The strike in Offaly will last three days. The stoppage in Waterford is indefinite. A further 160 outpatient clinics are cancelled in Waterford today, on top of the 136 cancelled last week.