Health Board says strike may put patients at risk

The strike by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) at Waterford Regional Hospital is "dangerous to the quality of care of patients" the South Eastern Health Board warned tonight.

Mr Peter Finnegan, deputy chief executive officer of the SEHB, issued the warning as patients face severe disruption over a strike by junior doctors.

The 130 doctors started an indefinite work to rule today in protest at new rostering arrangements.

As a result, the South Eastern Health Board has cancelled all non-emergency services will be cancelled for tomorrow. This will affect 18 operations and 16 out-patient procedures.

It also confirmed that 35 operations and 130 out-patient appointments were cancelled today.

However all cancer services, including the administration of chemotherapy, breast clinics and out-patient cancer services, will proceed as normal. Scheduled dialysis will also not be affected.

According to the Irish Medical Organisation, (IMO) the new rostering arrangements deprives NCHDs of training opportunities because they will not be present and learning from consultants during the hospitals' busiest times, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Their industrial relations executive, Mr Fintan Hourihan, said the IMO would not attend talks until the original rostering arrangements - which they say are in compliance with existing Labour Court rulings - are restored. He said the new rosters had been brought in without consultation.

However, the Health Service Employers' Agency, said the junior doctors are trying to protect their overtime earnings by having work done outside the "core" hours regarded as overtime.

This evening the health board expressed disappointment at the IMO’s refusal to meet with a third party.

Patient groups have also expressed dismay at the protest, saying it would affect patient health, but also sympathised with doctors who have been "running around like headless chickens".

"It is amazing to me that a strike should actually happen over what seems to be a relatively manageable issue," said Dr Tony O'Sullivan of Patient Focus.

Dozens of people were contacted yesterday to be told their operations had been cancelled and more were being contacted today, the health board said.

The dispute could spread to hospitals nationwide in the coming weeks if non-consultant hospital doctors vote for action in a ballot being conducted. Results of this ballot will be known on August 23rd and industrial action could start within one week.

Mr Kieran Mulvey, chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), said he was willing to chair negotiations between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Health Service Employers Agency. No talks are planned between the sides.

Waterford Regional patients should contact the hospital on 051-848000 or check the health board’s www.sehb.ie. for updates.