Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 215: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of agreement of a common contract between the Health Service Executive and consultants; the breakdown of the fee structure that was recently agreed upon; and if it is the case that a consultant benefits from both a salary from the State and a portion of charges paid by patients. [8089/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Talks between health service employers and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) on new contractual arrangements for medical consultants came to a successful conclusion on 24th January 2008. Agreement was reached on the terms and conditions from which an employment contract for consultants will now be drafted.

While the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) withdrew from the talks on 22 January 2008, it engaged in subsequent dialogue with Mr. Mark Connaughton SC, who had facilitated the agreement. Mr. Connaughton issued his final document on 1 February 2008 setting out the agreed position with the IHCA and his recommendations on a number of issues. His final document also reflects his dialogue with the IMO, with the exception of pay.

The degree to which consultants may engage in private practice will depend on contract type. Under the proposed new contractual arrangements: type A consultants will be paid a public salary (€220,000 — €240,000) and will not have any private fee income from patients; type B consultants (€205,000 — €220,000) may have private fee income for work done on the public hospital campus (including in a co-located hospital) but at least 80% of their clinical/patient output must be public patients; type C (€160,000 — €175,000) will apply only in exceptional situations, where there is a demonstrable benefit to the public health system, and will allow the appointee to treat private patients outside the public hospital campus.

Some of the other key features of the agreement include: the working week will be 37 hours; an extended working day (8am — 8pm), Monday to Friday; consultants may be required to work up to 5 hours structured overtime on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; the appointment of Clinical Directors to manage clinical services, budgets and lead the development of services for patients; consultants will work in teams to deliver consultant-provided rather than consultant-led services to patients; and there will be a "one for all" access to outpatient diagnostic services based solely on medical need.

Talks have taken place during recent weeks between health service employers and the medical organisations for the purpose of clarifying certain matters within the context of the framework proposed by Mr. Mark Connaughton SC.