HSE officials in last-ditch bid to avert junior doctors’ strike action

HSE and Irish Medical Organisation officials are to visit two hospitals today to clarify how pilot plans to cut excessive junior doctor hours can be rolled out across the country.

The parties agreed to the Labour Relations Commission suggestion after a full day of last-ditch talks to prevent next week’s strike action on Tuesday.

Under the plan, management and union representatives — who disagree over the exact level of the problem facing Ireland’s 4,800 junior doctors — will travel to two undisclosed locations as part of a “roster verification process”. They will examine whether the rosters fall within the 24-hour shift length limit allowed under Irish and EU law, how this has been achieved, and if it can be extended to other hospitals nationwide.