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The strike follows a long running dispute with the HSE over working hours, with many junior doctors required to work hours far beyond legal EU limits.
Today's move will see members of the Irish Medical Organisation withdraw services from 51 Irish hospitals and it is likely to impact up to 15,000 patients. The strike started at 7 o'clock this morning, but doctors have agreed to provide weekend cover for in-patients and emergency care. Around 3,000 doctors are involved in today’s industrial action, and it marks the first Irish doctors’ strike in a quarter of a century.
In some cases, working hours for junior doctors in Irish hospitals are estimated to be more than double the legal EU limit of 48 hours a week. Junior doctor Libby Ennis told Newstalk in August that she was forced to choose between food and sleep during a single 30-hour shift.
Newstalk Breakfast talked to Libby Ennis and Stephen McMahon of the Irish Patients Association about the situation:
Although the HSE has urged the Irish Medical Organisation to engage in talks, the IMO has refused until there is a realistic proposal on sanctions for hospitals in breach of the EU working time directive. The IMO has warned today’s action could escalate over the coming weeks, starting with two full strike days next week.
There are fears that the action could seriously impact patients, although it has been argued that patients are more at risk as a result of the unsustainable current working conditions.
There is some hope that the issues will be addressed before further escalation. The Health Minister, for example, has said the hours junior doctors are forced to work are “not right”.
The topic will be discussed on Newstalk Lunchtime, and we want to know your opinion on the topic. Do you support the ongoing the junior doctors’ strike action? Do you think the move could put too much extra pressure on an already strained medical system? What do you think the HSE and IMO should be proposing to resolve the dispute? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below.
