The South Eastern Health Board said this morning it would be entering talks on Monday at the Labour Relations Commission over the ongoing junior doctors' rostering dispute.
The talks will also be attended by the Health Service Employers' Agency (HSEA) and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).
The IMO has suspended its ongoing industrial action pending the outcome of talks. The dispute centres around rosters for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) at hospitals in Waterford and Tullamore.
The IMO says the new rosters will mean less training for the doctors who work alongside consultants.
But the Health Service Employers Agency (HSEA) claims the doctors' action is an attempt to protect their considerable overtime earnings. The HSEA insisted it was obliged under EU law to reduce the doctors’ working hours. Some doctors work nearly 80 hours per week.
The last series of talks, held on Monday, ended without any sign of agreement. Mr Kieran Mulvey, Chief Executive of the LRC, described the positions of the two sides as "diametrically opposed".
The LRC has now set a target date of one month, up until the September 16th, to complete negotiations.
All normal hospital activity at Waterford and Tullamore General Hospitals has resumed this morning.
The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, last night welcomed the return to full patient services at the two hospitals today. He praised the employers for "their positive and flexible approach".
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/e8fa4512-dd7b-401d-9688-d4e6bf1533c3.png)