Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
490 Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to change the rostering system in order that junior doctors are no longer forced to work 72 hour shifts without sleep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11429/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the new Non Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) Contract agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation in 2010, NCHDs should not be rostered to work for more than 24 consecutive hours on-site. Furthermore, the contract provides that NCHDs who are rostered to work on-site for a period of 24 hours will only do so on a 1 in 5 basis other than in exceptional circumstances. In these circumstances NCHDs are to receive their full compensatory rest entitlements before their next period of work, as provided for in the European Working Time Directive and transposed into Irish law. The contract terms reflect the Collective Agreement reached between the Health Service Executive and the IMO on 22 January 2010.
