The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has called an emergency meeting of NCHDs nationwide in order to consider taking industrial action over their deteriorating working conditions.

The meeting will take place on April 11 and has been deemed necessary as a result of what the IMO describes as “flagrant contractual breaches faced by NCHDs on a daily basis”.

There are over 7,500 NCHDs working in the Irish health service and according to the IMO, they are “routinely” required to work single shifts in excess of 24 hours and to work in excess of 48 hours per week.

Furthermore, they are not being paid for all hours worked and are often unable to take full annual leave or study leave entitlements.

This has led to increased mental health issues among NCHDs, as well as increased levels of emigration.

“No doctor ever wants to take industrial action, let along go on strike, so the fact that this is even part of the conversation shows how unsustainable the present situation is,” commented chair of the IMO’s NCHD Committee, Dr John Cannon.

He emphasised that NCHDs are “critical” to the successful running of health services and represent the next generation of consultants and GPs. However, the government and the HSE “continue to take this group for granted and force them to work illegal hours often without correct pay and with little regard for their physical or mental health”.

Dr Cannon said that the IMO will recommend to its members that industrial action will have to be considered if there is no “reasonable and serious engagement” from officials.

“There is a reason why doctors leave Ireland and we hope that the government and the HSE will pay attention and do something to address the systemic problems in our healthcare system,” he added.