Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs), formerly known as junior doctors, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including strike action.
According to a ballot of NCHDs, conducted by their union the Irish Medical Organisation, over 97% are in favour of taking action in a dispute over working conditions.
The IMO says the doctors are demoralised, frustrated and angry and is accusing the HSE of systemic and persistent contract breaches by requiring NCHDs to routinely work unsafe and illegal hours.
The ballot result will now be communicated to the Department of Health and HSE, and the IMO says it will seek urgent negotiations to resolve the issues under dispute.
The union says if the Department of Health and HSE are not prepared to seriously engage on resolving the issues, 21 days' notice of industrial action will be issued.
"This ballot result clearly demonstrates the determination of NCHDs and, while any kind of strike action is extremely difficult for doctors, there may be no choice," said Dr John Cannon, Chair of the IMO NCHD Committee.
Last month, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation and described the working conditions of NCHDs as "completely unacceptable".
He said he was committed to fundamental change and reform and that he'd written to the HSE asking it to engage with NCHDs.
