The IMO and Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) have met to discuss the appointment of an arbitrator to resolve a dispute concerning outstanding GP out-of-hours payments.
The selection of an arbitrator was to be agreed upon late last week in order to commence talks on an agreed process of arbitration, which is expected to last up to four weeks, IMN understands.
The dispute has been ongoing for more than two years and relates to outstanding GP payments for 2010 and 2011.
More than 100 GPs have been affected by the pay delays and are suffering financially as a result, the IMO has argued.
The PCRS has stated that payments have not been issued because GP out-of-hours claims were not validated by GP co-ops.
The IMO has maintained that this process is not required.
Speaking to IMN, Mr Eric Young, Assistant Director of Industrial Relations with the IMO, said that the union is eager to seek a speedy resolution to the dispute.
