Medical assessments of child sex abuse cases on hold while doctors strike

STRIKING public health doctors have warned that medical assessments of child sex abuse cases are on hold while the dispute continues.

Nursing home inspections, health screening of asylum seekers and medical assessments of children with disabilities have also been hit by the strike action which began yesterday and involves the country’s 300 public health doctors. The action could ultimately have the effect of extending across the health services, if the doctors go ahead with plans to place all-out pickets on the health boards which other employees would be asked not to cross.

Dr Joe Barry, chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation’s (IMO) public health committee, said they had told health employers that they reserved the right to place the pickets.