Minister appeals for end to doctors' dispute

Health Minister Michael Martin tonight appealed for an end to industrial action that has halted operations at two hospital and could spread nationwide.

He said the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), representing junior doctors at Waterford Regional Hospital and Tullamore General Hospital, in Co Offaly should end works-to-rule at each establishment in the interests of patient care.

The dispute centres on a planned reduction in doctors’ working hours by health authorities.

Yesterday talks broke down between the two sides in the dispute arranged by the Labour Relations Commission.

After discussions involving the health authorities and the IMO, commission chief executive Kieran Mulvey reported that the sides remained “diametrically opposed” and warned that the row could escalate.

A total of 180 non-consultant doctors were involved in the action, and there were fears that the dispute could spread to the rest of the country.

According to the IMO, proposed new work rosters will mean less training for the doctors who work alongside consultants.

But the Health Service Employers Agency claimed the doctors’ action is an attempt to protect their overtime earnings, and insisted they are obliged under EU law to reduce their working hours.

At present, some doctors work nearly 80 hours a week.

Mr Martin urged the IMO and the agency to reconvene talks under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission as a matter of urgency.

The Minister said he was shocked at the doctors’ action, which he thought was disproportionate and putting patients at risk. Mr Mulvey, also called on all sides to return to talks, stressing that the dispute should not be allowed to escalate.