The Irish Medical Organisation says the HSE and Department of Health must engage in urgent negotiations to prevent a doctors strike.
The IMO announced yesterday that over 97% of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors balloted had voted for industrial action up to and including strike action.
NCHDs say they are working unsafe and illegal hours, are not being paid for all hours worked and are calling for the cost of training to be lowered.
They also say that the HSE has failed to ensure that all NCHDs receive their full entitlement to annual leave and study leave.
Speaking to RedFM News, IMO NCHD committee member Dr. Aidan Coffey says the union will issue notice of industrial action if the HSE are not prepared to engage:
"I think the HSE have an impressive track record in dragging their heels and negotiating with the people who want to see progress in the health service. The IMO wants to see progress, we want to see things getting better for doctors and patients. I'm not confident that we will see meaningful engagement and if there isn't, in that 21 day period, there will be plans put in place between ourselves and the hospitals to determine what level of emergency cover would be provided by IMO members."
