A Letterkenny-based surgeon says freelance or locum doctors are blackmailing hospitals by holding a wildcat strike.
The Health Minister has called on the dispute to be resolved through proper channels.
Some locum doctors have decided not to show up for work after the HSE reduced the hourly rate they are paid from 40 to 36 euro.
Principally the no-shows may effect Drogheda, Navan, Cavan, Tallaght, Beaumont, Portlaoise and Letterkenny Hospitals.
Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon in Letterkenny Hospital, Peter O’Rourke, says a lack of contract staff gives the locum doctors extra power.
Sean Defoe has this report:
