Patients’ group seeks Govt intervention in doctors’ dispute

The Irish Patients’ Association has called on the Government to intervene in the junior doctors’ dispute at Waterford Regional Hospital.

Non-emergency services have been cancelled at the hospital for two days due to a doctors’ work-to-rule in protest at long working hours.

Stephen McMahon, a spokesman for the IPA, said innocent patients should not have to suffer because of an industrial dispute.

"This week alone, 275 patients have not had treatments that they should have had and this situation can only get worse unless the parties concerned sit around the table and find a resolution," he said.

"What it really needs is the minister to intervene so this doesn’t escalate into a national strike."