A DISPUTE between the HSE and junior doctors over a bid to cut their overtime and allowances has been settled, the High Court heard yesterday.
The settlement follows the withdrawal by the HSE of its controversial cuts in return for a strict timetable for the introduction of new rosters and an overall new contract.
The proceedings were initiated last month but yesterday Mr Justice John MacMenamin was told the matter had been fully settled and he struck out the proceedings.
As part of the settlement deal, negotiations are to take place between the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) about the introduction of new rosters for non-consultant hospital doctors by July. The rosters would be in compliance with the European working time directive in limiting the working week, on average, to 48 hours.
The sides are also expected to agree to enter into negotiations on a new contract for non-consultant hospital doctors to be introduced by Christmas. All existing agreements will lapse if no agreement on a new contract is reached by the end of the year.
In the action, six doctors and the IMO had alleged breach of contract by the HSE in changing conditions of their employment.
Talks took place between the sides on Tuesday before a hearing for an injunction restraining implementation of the charges was due to begin and the settlement was arrived at yesterday.
The six non-consultants who took the action were: Orla Neylon, registrar in respirology in Crumlin children’s hospital; Aisling Snow, registrar in radiology in Tallaght hospital, Dublin; Darragh Shields, registrar in emergency medicine in St James’s, Dublin; Michael Barrett, registrar in neonatology/paediatrics in Holles Street Maternity Hospital, Dublin; Waqar Ahmed, registrar in the department of anaesthesiology in Wexford General, and Patrick Kelly, intern at St Vincent’s, Dublin.