Up to a quarter of patients with appointments to see certain specialists at Dublin's Mater hospital have had their appointments cancelled at short notice due to consultants going on holiday or attending conferences.
The revelation has promoted the hospital's medical executive to write to all consultants on the staff asking them to give at least six weeks' notice if they are planning to take leave.
The circular to consultant staff, which has been released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act, said there was "a continuing problem with consultants cancelling clinics at short notice" for either annual leave or attendance at conferences.
"While not a widespread problem, it has given rise to rescheduling of appointments for up to 25 per cent of patients in some specialties," the document added. The specialties concerned are not listed.
The circular, written by Dr J. Conor O'Keane, a consultant pathologist and honorary secretary of the Mater's medical executive, followed discussion of the problem at a meeting of the executive council. The discussion was prompted by a letter from the hospital's chief executive Mr Martin Cowley.
Dr O'Keane's letter to staff in October last continued: "The chairman [of the medical executive] has asked that I write to each consultant requesting that you give, where feasible, at least six weeks' notice that you are taking leave so that clinics can be rescheduled in an orderly fashion."
Mr Cowley's letter to the medical executive also raised questions about consultants turning up late for clinics in the outpatient department. Dr O'Keane, in his reply, said: "With regard to your second point . . . it was agreed the major reason for this is completion of post call ward rounds."