IMO agrees not to seek collective service withdrawals

A row between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Competition Authority over whether the union could negotiate collective agreements has ended in the IMO giving an undertaking not to organise or recommend a collective withdrawal of services or boycott by members.

Under the terms of an agreed settlement, the IMO has also given an undertaking to advise members that they should decide individually and not collectively whether to participate in publicly funded GP health services, such as the planned extension of free medical cover to under sixes.

However, the agreement does open the way for the union to represent members in any future talks with the Department of Health or the HSE regarding any proposed changes to publicly funded contracts with GPs, including the General Medical Services contract.