Patients’ group will support industrial action

A leading patients’ group has said it will support junior doctors in whatever strike action they take — provided the public does not become “a pawn in this looming avoidable crisis”.

Irish Patients Association chairman Stephen McMahon took the stance after an Irish Medical Organisation ballot returned a 97% vote in favour of industrial action.

Mr McMahon said that patients will inevitably be affected in some way by the decision, which has been taken due to excessive shift lengths which see some junior doctors working up to 100 hours a week.