Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Health

To ask the Minister for Health his views on the conditions and working hours of junior doctors in the Health Service Executive; his plans to engage with the Irish Medical Organisation to re-examine these working hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply from Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly T.D

The Government is committed to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive in respect of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) by 2014. I have emphasised to the HSE the high priority the Government and I attach to this issue.

In January 2012, a detailed plan for the achievement of compliance by NCHDs with the Working Time Directive was submitted to the EU Commission.   The plan affirmed Ireland’s commitment to achieving compliance with the Directive over a three-year time period.   It committed to implementing the measures necessary, including: the implementation of new work patterns for medical staff, transfer of work undertaken by NCHDs to other grades, and the organisation of hospital services to support compliance.  

The Health Service Executive’s Service Plan for 2013 specifically recognises the need to address the issue as a priority, stating that there will be a particular focus in the acute hospital service on the achievement of compliance with the European Working Time Directive amongst the non-consultant hospital doctor workforce, in line with the Implementation Plan submitted to the Commission in 2012. The HSE is currently finalising its National Operational Plan to support the implementation of the National Service Plan 2013. This will specify in greater detail the actions to be taken during the year in relation to EWTD compliance. A key priority for the HSE in 2013 will be a further reduction of average weekly hours worked and also a reduction in the duration of shifts undertaken.

The HSE, as the principal health service employer, engages with the IMO on a regular basis in relation to contractual matters, including EWTD compliance, and will continue to do so.