Talks to take place on consultants' contracts
One of the main organisations representing hospital consultants agreed today to enter talks with the Government over a new work contract.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IM0) said it wanted to be part of the solution to the difficulties currently plaguing the health service.
Health Minister Mary Harney has welcomed the IMO’s decision to enter discussions and said she hoped the talks could begin quickly to ensure a new contact could be in place early next year.
The Government has been looking for consultants to operate more flexible practices and commit to more public work.
The new contract has been seen as a key element in the Government’s overall reform plan for the health services.
The main organisations representing consultants had refused to take part in talks towards a new contract due to a row over medical insurance cover for senior doctors.
The department has been working on draft position papers on what they want in the new consultants’ contract and these proposals are expected to include a greater commitment by doctors to public patients.
Ms Harney said she hoped the Irish Hospital Consultants Association would also decide to enter talks.
