Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the public only contract means no private patients in public hospitals or no public only consultants in any private hospital whatever the location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6872/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Proposals for a new employment contract for consultants working in the public health system were recently tabled by the management side in the context of the consultants' contract negotiations. The new contract will be a first step towards the introduction of a consultant provided service and the appointment of large numbers of dedicated public hospital and community based consultants, working in teams. This will be matched by a reduction in the number of non-consultant hospital doctors.

A consultant provided service is dependent on consultants assuming a new role. The contract will set out the terms and conditions associated with employment as a consultant dedicated exclusively to the public health service. It will recognise consultants as senior employees with lead responsibility, within established best practice, for decisions on patient care and treatment.

As part of a consultant provided service, consultants will treat all patients and will be remunerated exclusively on a salaried basis, that is, they will not receive additional remuneration for treatment delivered to insured patients. A commitment to public sector service alone means consultants treating patients only within the public hospital or public community facility.