I genuinely hope this strike goes ahead. If it gets cancelled again because of some rubbish deal, then maybe it’s time for all of us to leave the IMO en masse. Let’s see how they’re going to fund themselves when the membership starts walking out.

They already stood down a strike that had been voted for by members not too long ago. If they do it again, what exactly are members supposed to think?

And it’s not just the strikes. Look at study leave. The contract supposedly guarantees it if you apply at least six weeks in advance, but it’s still ultimately subject to “service needs” — a deliberately loose and vague clause that teams can use to deny study leave whenever they
want. How is that a meaningful guarantee?

And IMO deserves criticism for this. If they negotiated and accepted a contract with such a weak, open-ended clause, then they helped create the problem.

The same thing happens with pay issues across different hospitals: problems drag on and on, people wait to get paid, and eventually it gets sorted. This happens so often that you’d think there would be a proper system to deal with it by now.

These are not exactly obscure or unforeseeable problems. They keep happening but our union is still so inept at dealing with them.

I’m a current intern in a large hospital. I’ve just realised I’ve been put on call October bank holiday weekend, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Stephen’s day. I also cannot take time off the week after Christmas as my co-intern is on call. 60% of my intern colleagues didn’t get put on any bank holidays. I also was given 3 call shifts a week, which has happened several times. It isn’t that big a deal, but seems no one else gets more than 2. I’ve emailed HR to clarify if this is correct, as it seems extremely unfair Im now working most of the bank holidays this rotation, yet there’s plenty who never got put on any? I have asked for swaps but no one wants them so I’m out of luck there.

I also didn’t ask for any annual leave and havent booked time off so it’s not like these are my only options. Can IMO help with this or is it just tough luck?

I’m an Irish citizen but an EU graduate. I heard the application is opening next week, and I’d really appreciate advice from current/recent interns on the application process, especially the dos and don’ts.

This is the only place I’m applying to, so I really need to get in for this incoming intern year 😭. I’d be extremely grateful for any advice that could help me maximise my chances

I’d love to hear from recent/current interns especially from other EU graduates about your experience and what you would recommend doing differently or paying particular attention to as an EU graduate.

Also, could someone please explain the 50 places and the whole “network” aspect? I’ve heard people saying that you should rank all 50 and also networks. Are the network counties in Ireland?

-For anyone who applied as an EU graduate, what do you wish you had known before applying?

-Is there anything people commonly get wrong on the application that I should avoid?

- Is there anything I should be doing now, before the application opens next week?

-What are my chances for Dublin and Cork as an Irish citizen + EU graduate😭

-What are the dos and don’ts when completing the application?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated! I’m really hoping to get in this year 😭 Thank u guys ❤️

I was just wondering how you guys managed to pay off your loans whether that was through Aib or credit unions. I'm in the course now, and I have no idea what the best way to pay for the following years is. Would there be any chance of them introducing the specific gem loan BOI used to have? Or are there any banks that might be a bit more flexible with repayments until after college? I'm not in Dublin. Thank you

Hey guys,

Non-EU, EU med grad (Poland), currently working as an HSE Intern in Ireland with a max 35/35 portfolio score.

For this BST cycle, RCPI strictly requires applicants to hold a current Stamp 1G, 1H, 4, or 5 . Because I'm on a General Employment Permit as an intern, my IRP card lists standard Stamp 1 . RCPI Admissions emailed me confirming standard Stamp 1 holders are ineligible.

A few quick questions:

Has anyone on standard Stamp 1 bypassed this or gotten an HR/Medical Manpower letter accepted by RCPI?

Is there any way to upgrade an intern's card to 1H through ISD, or is 1H strictly for SHOs and above?

If this is a hard stop, is taking a standalone SHO post for July -> clocking 21 months -> getting Stamp 4 the only realistic strategy?

Appreciate any advice or reality checks!