HSE abolishes training grant scheme for NCHDs

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is to stop training grants and paid overtime for non-consultant hospital doctors with immediate effect.

The move will involve withdrawing the living-out allowance of €3,360 and putting an end to NCHD’s paid one-hour lunch breaks, which has caused 99% of non-consultant hospital doctors to vote in favour of industrial action, including the possibility of strike.

Doctors were previously entitled to almost €4,000 a year under the HSE’s training grant scheme. Reports say that this scheme will now come under review, and in future the money will only be paid to doctors who attend courses run by accredited training bodies.

The HSE predicts that it can save €18.5m a year by abolishing the training grant system, €13m by ending the living-out allowance and €25m by staggering lunch breaks and withdrawing overtime payments.

The controversial plans have been badly received by the Irish Medical Organisation, which is arguing for cost-cutting measures to be equally shared among all healthcare workers and their unions.