Hospitals across the country were tonight threatened with serious disruption after junior doctors voted in favour of industrial action.
A staggering 99 per cent of Non Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHD) voted in support of action, up to and including an all-out strike, if talks over training rosters collapse.
They are represented by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
Vice president Dr John Morris claimed attempts to impose rosters irrespective of the consequences for patient care and safety or the training needs of junior doctors was driven by HSE cost-cutting measures.
“The overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action demonstrates the level of anger amongst our NCHD members,” he said.
Conciliation talks in the LRC between the IMO and Health Service Executive (HSE) recommence tomorrow.
Dr Morris said the IMO had grave concerns the HSE failed to provide any patient impact study these imposed changes may have.
“In addition, the IMO has also requested a risk analysis assessment,” he continued.
“Regrettably, the HSE claims that it is not in a position to provide us any of this information.
“It is unconscionable that the HSE should seek to establish such radical changes unilaterally without carrying out studies to measure their impact on patients and their effect on risk.”
PA