Intensive talks between health service management and medical organisations on a new contract for hospital consultants are to resume today for a third day. However, it is generally accepted that it will be the middle of next week before it becomes clear whether a deal can be achieved.
The negotiations, which are taking place in a hotel near Naas, Co Kildare, yesterday dealt with hours of work, practice plans for senior doctors and disciplinary procedures.
The parties were due last night to discuss a report commissioned on the ratio of public to private practice for consultants. It was expected that the report would be tabled at the talks, but it will not be completed in time.
Hospital consultants yesterday criticised plans by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to introduce a temporary ban on recruitment and other cutbacks.
The introduction of a new contract for consultants is seen by the Government as a key element of its healthcare reform plans. If there is no agreement, it is expected that the Government will press ahead unilaterally and appoint consultants on revised terms.
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