Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Implementation of the European working time directive will necessitate the following reductions in the working hours of all doctors: a maximum of 58 hours per week from 1 August 2004; a maximum of 56 hours per week from 1 August 2007; and a maximum of 48 hours per week from 1 August 2009.

The national task force on medical staffing was charged with examining how this directive could be implemented without adversely affecting service delivery. Against the background of the required decrease in non-consultant hospital doctor working hours, the task force recommended the introduction of a consultant-provided service and an increase in the number of consultants. These recommendations are being advanced within the context of the HSE-led negotiations on a new consultants' contract. The issue of public-only consultants is also being advanced in those talks. It is intended that as part of a consultant-provided service, such consultants will be remunerated exclusively on a salaried basis, that is, they will not receive additional remuneration for treatment delivered to private patients.

The new public-only consultant contract will help support the implementation of the directive and will improve patient access to care and ensure better delivery of health services.

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