Doctors’ strikes may defer operations

DOCTORS last night warned that patients on waiting lists will have their operations deferred if a series of one-day strikes are rolled out nationally next month.

Junior doctors at Tullamore Hospital yesterday refused to treat elective patients or hold out-patient clinics in a festering dispute over rostering, training and overtime payments. Some 120 non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHD) are to take similar action in Waterford Regional Hospital tomorrow.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) yesterday posted ballots to more than 2,500 NCHD’s and warned that members were becoming increasingly frustrated. The results of the nationwide ballot on industrial action will be known in three weeks. The IMO maintains that hospital managers are trying to force NCHDs to work part of their basic 39-hour week outside of the normal 9am to 5pm day in a bid to cut overtime costs.