Seanad debates
Wednesday, 25 June 2003
Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed).
One other aspect which concerns me is the power of the hospital consultants. I am not sure whether it is possible for a hospital consultant to have two masters and to work both for private and public patients. I heard the interview on the radio yesterday and I was stunned. I am not sure who the person was, but it was a good interview. It was about the consultants who admit spending only 20% of their time on public patients but who expect the State to pay 100% of their insurance costs. That is what I understood but the Minister is now challenging this. These are exactly the matters he should challenge. I fear that in the case of a consultant who looks after private and public patients, private patients usually get extra attention.
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