JUNIOR doctors at University College Hospital Galway have voted for industrial action over continuing difficulties at the hospital's casualty department, overcrowding and an alleged lack of medical cover in emergency and accident services.
The 121 doctors backed limited action but, according to Mr Alan Molloy, industrial relations officer for the Irish Medical Organisation, until there were "concrete proposals" to ease the difficulties, a strike could not be ruled out.
Patient care would remain their priority, and emergency cover would be maintained.
Routine services will be affected only. Hopefully, strike action won't be necessary, he said.
The accident and emergency unit lacked vital medical staff from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily, Mr Molloy claimed.
"A surgical officer ends up during this period having responsibility for wards, casualty and surgery.
"It is a most unsatisfactory situation whereby a surgical house officer could have to make a choice between staying at surgery or going to the accident and emergency unit."
While UCHG general manager Mr Billy Moran was aware of the ballot, he said: "We don't conduct our industrial relations through the media."
Plans were under way for a new accident and emergency unit, said the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan.
But he was surprised hospitals bigger than UCHG had resolved casualty department difficulties without needing additional resources.
He accepted that capital investment was crucial for UCHG and confirmed his senior managers would meet health board staff to discuss ways to address problems in casualty.