Plea not to cut young doctors' payments

Doctors’ representatives today demanded health chiefs reverse planned slashes in payments and allowances to young medics.

The Irish Medical Organisation branded the multi-million euro cuts on thousands of non-consultant hospital doctors "bullying" and "draconian".

As the board of the Health Service Executive met to discuss tackling a €1bn funding shortfall, the IMO claimed junior doctors were already facing cuts in pay imposed on all civil servants.

Dr John Morris, IMO vice president, said: “The proposed draconian cuts by the HSE are in addition to the income levy and the pension contributions which are being made by NCHDs in common with all other public service employees.

“This is why we accuse the HSE of singling out NCHDs for ’special’ treatment. It is little short of bullying of a vulnerable group.”

The HSE claimed it was being forced to implement the measures because of the serious budgetary challenge it faces and the need to introduce shorter working hours under EU and Irish law.

Ending paid overtime during lunch breaks will save €25m, while other allowances are also to be cut.

Junior doctors voted in favour of industrial action – up to and including strike – last month if talks on cost-cutting measures at the LRC failed to come up with a solution.

The IMO today called for negotiations to continue, insisting the process had not been exhausted.

It also argued that if the HSE complied with rules limiting a doctor’s working week then they would save more money than under the cuts proposed.

Dr Morris said: “NCHDs are the only grade in the health service who work on temporary contracts into their 40s and who are required to work continuous shifts of 24, 56 and 72 hours without appropriate rest breaks.

“NCHDs are also the only group of employees who must gain higher degree qualifications and training to maintain their jobs on a six-month to six-month basis.”

The board of the HSE is holding a day-long meeting today to discuss how to tackle the funding shortfall, and pinpoint which services should be cut.

Health bosses said rising unemployment was putting an extra strain on its finances and almost doubled its multi-million euro shortfall.