The new draft contract for hospital consultants, proposed by management this week, is for negotiation, senior health services figures said yesterday.
Medical organisations have reacted negatively to the proposals, which include salaries of up to €216,000. One group, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), has effectively rejected the draft contract.
It has said that the proposals would be turned down by members if put to a general meeting.
The Irish Medical Organisation is expected to give its views on the document at a meeting today with the independent chairman of the contract talks.
However, senior health service figures said yesterday that the management document was for negotiation rather than representing a take it or leave it offer.
Talks chairman Mark Connaughton is expected to submit a report to Minister for Health Mary Harney within the next few days on whether he believes a basis exists for a deal. Senior health service management figures suggested yesterday that there could be further talks on the proposed contract in the days ahead.
The IHCA has said that the new management document was less attractive than a similar one it rejected several months ago.
It said that among the issues of concern for it were the proposed hours of work, changes to eligibility regulations and advocacy rights, as well as the operation of co-located hospitals.
The IHCA said that consultants were being asked to work longer hours at unsocial times for a lower hourly rate of pay.
Under the management's proposals, consultants would work a 39-hour week. They would be rostered to work between 7am and 10pm on weekdays. In some specialities, management is seeking to have consultants in hospitals 24 hours a day. Management has offered salary scales of €198,000- €216,000 for consultants working exclusively in public hospitals. Those with limited private practice rights would earn €175,000-€190,000. Existing consultants opting to retain off-site private practice rights would receive €156,000-€171,000 a year.
