Further strikes averted as junior doctors agree proposals with HSE

Further strike action by junior doctors looks to have been averted after proposals were hammered out with the HSE.

The deal would see a portion of a hospital’s funding withheld until it is compliant with the European Working Time Directive.

The proposals emerged following discussions with the Labour Relations Commission, which began last week.

Sources said one of the main measures agreed would see sanctions against hospitals where doctors had to work excessive hours.

It is understood a portion of each hospital’s overall funding would be withheld and would only be released as it demonstrated that it was compliant with the working time legislation.

The HSE had already committed to ensuring no junior doctor would work longer than a 24-hour shift by the middle of January. It also agreed that by the end of next year, all hospitals would be fully compliant with the European directive.

Last night, following a meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation’s non-consultant hospital doctor committee, a spokesman said it had agreed to ballot its members “as soon as practicably possible” and that the committee was recommending acceptance of the terms.

At the start of this month around 3,000 junior doctors held a one-day strike at 51 hospitals to protest at excessive hours of work.