The independent chairman of the talks on a new contract for hospital consultants is expected to set out over the weekend whether he believes a basis exists for agreement between health service management and medical organsiations. Martin Wall,Industry Correspondent, reports.
The chairman, senior counsel Mark Connaughton, yesterday met management and consultant representatives in bilateral meetings.
Key plenary talks which had been scheduled for Thursday were put on hold after the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association and the Irish Medical Organisation sought clarification of the Government's plans to reform eligibility arrangements for public hospital services.
It is understood that late on Wednesday evening, a senior Department of Health official at the talks indicated that under the planned reforms, consultants would not be allowed to charge fees for private patients in public hospital beds. It is understood the official also indicated there could be restrictions on the right of consultants to see private out-patients in rooms in public hospitals.
There are also suggestions that there could be new restrictions on private patients using diagnostic or laboratory facilities in public hospitals. The measures are aimed at ensuring greater equity for public patients in accessing services.
Some informed sources have suggested that the Government will also seek to enforce the existing rules, where an average of 20 per cent of beds in public hospitals are designated for private patients. In some hospitals, this level of private work has been greatly exceeded.
It is considered possible by the parties that Mr Connaughton will seek more time for the talks. Controversial issues such as hours of work for consultants, pay and private practice rights remain unresolved at this stage.