The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has begun balloting for industrial action by non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs).

The decision to ballot was taken after IMO research found “persistent and systemic contract breaches faced by NCHDs”. These, the IMO insisted, have major consequences for patient safety and are driving NCHDs to seek careers outside of Ireland.

The industrial action being balloted on includes strike action and the IMO NCHD Committee is recommending members to vote in favour of it.

Key grievances raised by the NCHDs include

-Systemic and persistent contract breaches by the HSE which require NCHDs to routinely work unsafe and illegal hours

-Failure by the HSE to ensure a transparent verification process and payment for all hours worked

-Failure by the HSE to protect the rights of NCHDs to annual leave and study leave.

The IMO also noted that NCHDs need financial support when completing their training programmes, as during this time, they have to move multiple times around the country.

According to the chairman of the IMO’s NCHD Committee, Dr John Cannon, no doctor ever wants to go on strike “but there comes a time when the abuse is so persistent and ingrained that we simply have to stand up for ourselves, our patients and the next generation of NCHDs”.

Meanwhile, the NCHD Committee is also seeking agreement on a realistic timeframe to agree and implement a full NCHD contract revision. The aim of this revision is to:

-Align the contract with the changing demographics of the NCHD workforce

-Incorporate a full review of the training structure, including flexible training

-Address specific obstacles for international doctors

-Address work life balance, gender equality issues and family friendly policies.

The ballot will close on June 9.