Doctors set to approve strike action next week

Almost three hundred public health doctors are set to vote on strike action in the coming week.

The doctors, who are frustrated with continued delays on the part of the Dept of Health to enter constructive negotiations, returned ballot papers last night, with 94% in favour of strike action.

Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation's public health committee, Dr Fenton Howell said "public health doctors believe that the Department of Health & Children do not consider them a priority and have no difficulty in abusing the goodwill shown by these doctors."

He said that many doctors feel that strike action is their only means left to voice their anger.

"The overwhelming mood was that we should go out on all out strike immediately because of their frustration with how the department of health has been treating them."