Junior doctors threaten to strike

A potential junior doctors’ strike that could cripple the hospital system is looming as a direct result of the excessive and “dangerous” length of shifts the medics are forced to work.

The Irish Medical Organisation made this claim yesterday after it began balloting doctors over the repeatedly flagged crisis situation.

As part of its “24 No More” campaign to force the Department of Health to work within the European Working Time Directive on shift length limits, the union is asking members if they feel doctors should refuse to accept the situation any further.