HSE refers doctors dispute for mediation

The junior doctors strike threatening to derail the health service could be over before it has even begun after the HSE referred the matter to the Labour Relations Commission.

A spokesperson for the doctors’ union reacted with anger to the move, saying the HSE move was a “total abdication of responsibility”, but stated the union would attend the talks if invited.

Health service bosses contacted the State resolution group last night after a day of discussions with the Irish Medical Organisation.