There is “acknowledgement on all sides” that NCHD working hours remain an ongoing significant issue, the Chair of the IMO NCHD committee, Dr Rachel McNamara, recently told this newspaper.
“In terms of targeted recruitment into posts in order to alleviate those working hours, there hasn’t been any significant movement there,” she told the Medical Independent last month.
The Organisation’s pre-Budget submission noted that 83 per cent of NCHDs routinely work more than 48 hours a week, leading to “unsustainable levels of burnout and creating an unsafe working environment for doctors and patients”. The IMO has called for the development and funding of a comprehensive workforce plan.
Dr McNamara said the HSE had identified a need for 800 extra NCHDs to address the issue of illegal and unsafe working hours. “And with the recruitment freeze and now the recruitment ceiling, that is not on the cards,” said Dr McNamara, who added “there has been engagement, but not a huge amount of forward momentum” on the matter.
She also confirmed that negotiations on a new NCHD contract were due to commence shortly.
Separately, an internal HSE meeting heard there has been “significant progress” on implementation of the NCHD taskforce report, but the 2024 budget was “insufficient” to “progress” all recommendations.
The issue was discussed at the HSE people and culture committee meeting in March.
A budget of €5 million is available for the taskforce recommendations this year.
According to the HSE, the funding is being utilised to progress several priority actions.
These actions include improving onsite working and educational infrastructure, development of simulation training, enhanced induction, and improved occupational health services.
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