IMO NCHD Chair concerned over pace of contract talks

The IMO NCHD Chair has expressed concern about the slow pace of talks on a new NCHD contract.

The HSE and Department of Health committed to negotiating a new contract as part of the NCHD agreement reached in late 2022. This agreement, which included new rostering rules, averted industrial action on illegal and unsafe working hours.

The IMO considers a new contract as crucial to eradicating illegal hours and modernising contractual terms. The current NCHD contract dates to 2010.

Speaking to the Medical Independent in late February, NCHD Chair Dr Rachel McNamara referenced a lack of momentum in the contract negotiations, particularly from the employer (HSE) side.

“The major problem with contract negotiations is they have been repeatedly stalled over the course of the last two years,” she said. “The latest is that we are going to enter negotiations very soon.”

There are “numerous” ongoing reports from NCHDs of breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act (OWTA), 1997, Dr McNamara outlined.

Twenty-four-hour shifts are still occurring, especially in model 2 and model 3 hospitals. Thirty-six-hour shifts are very common in surgery, but less so in other specialties. NCHDs continue to face difficulties obtaining rest days in compliance with the rostering rules.

A Department spokesperson said: “The Department and the HSE remain committed to improving conditions for NCHDs and ensuring compliance with the OWTA. All parties agree that discussions on a new contract will resume following suspension of talks in summer 2025.”

“We understand the parties are in contact to recommence talks and we urge all parties to engage constructively in these discussions in the interest of our health service.”

The HSE said it “remains fully committed to engage with the IMO regarding NCHD contract negotiations”.

“There is a firm view that enabling the negotiation process would assist in achieving the overarching key objectives of Sláintecare, by positively impacting and building on the workforce planning strategies and policies required to improve the NCHD experience, work/life balance, and ultimately benefitting patient care.” See news feature