PATIENTS of some respiratory consultants will face top up bills shortly because of the row between the VHI and hospital consultants, according to the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association. In some cases the patient will have to meet up to 50 per cent of the cost.
However, negotiations are continuing with consultants in, other specialities, including oncology, cardiology, radiology and dermatology, according to the general secretary of the IHCA, Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick who said the situation was looking a little more optimistic for agreement in those areas.
Eleven of the 12 members of the Irish Thoracic Society have said that all consultant respiratory physicians in hospitals in Dublin have withdrawn from the VHI total cover scheme.