One of the main medical training bodies has called for action to be taken to reduce the hours of junior hospital doctors.

Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) are due to take strike action from September 25 in a bid to force a reduction in their weekly working hours and the length of the shifts they have to work.

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) has now called on all of those in authority to work together to facilitate the implementation of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD). This provides for a maximum working week of 48 hours for junior doctors, which has yet to be  implemented by the HSE.

The IMO, which represents NCHDs, wants a maximum shift length of 24 hours and a maximum working week of 48 hours to be implemented in hospitals. Industrial action is due to begin on Wednesday week with a one day national strike of junior doctors.

The RCPI says the implementation of the EWTD limits has not progressed sufficiently, at the expense of patient care and the well-being of NCHDs and trainees.

The College says the dissatisfaction of NCHDs with the delayed implementation of working time limits is evidenced by the high numbers of trainees and junior doctors leaving the country to work abroad.

It says that in implementing the EWTD, patient care should be the main focus and should not be compromised, and professional development and training should be maintained and improved to run in parallel with a high standard of patient care.

The RCPI also warned that a reduction in the number of hours worked by individual junior doctors will mean that more doctors and other hospital staff would be required to do the same amount of work.

Dr Grainne O'Kane, an NCHD at the Mater Hospital and Chair of the College's Collegiate Members' Committee, said for too long, NCHDs have been working in conditions that prevent them from providing the best possible patient care.

"The onerous working hours can compromise the patient but also affect the mental and physical health of the doctor."

She said junior doctor morale was at an all-time low, and real changes needed to be made in the health system to ensure optimal healthcare provision for all.

According to the IMO, NCHDs work on average around 60 hours per week.

Why junior doctors are going on strike

Junior doctors to strike on September 25