IMO considering doctor's strike plans

The Irish Medical Organisation will today discuss a strike action plan after junior doctors voted to down tools over excessive working hours.

Trainees say they are working shifts of up to 100 hours a week, despite EU regulation guidelines of 48 hours a week.

Last night, 97% of those balloted by the IMO voted in favour of industrial action, which could come by the end of the month.

The Health Minister, James Reily is being urged to take a more hands on role in the dispute.

The IMO's Assistant Director of Industrial Relations, Eric Young, said the union is open to talks, but the HSE has shown no signs of the same.

"Sadly, since we issued this notice and notified the HSE on the sixth of August that we were going to be taking this ballot, and we expected it would be passed, they have produced nothing," he said.

"They haven't been in a position to e able to offer any kind of plan… we're ready for discussions. The question is, are they?"

Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher said it's time a resolution is found that doesn't lead to disruption for patients.

"It is obviosuly not accceptable that we have people in a workforce who are working extraordinarily long hours," he said.

"It certainly is causing difficulties for the indicitaals who are working under these codnitions, and that's the most important thing."

"They have already stated that it impacts, potentially, on patient safety - and on the saefty of junior doctors themselves."