Pain-free inflation for VHI doctors

HOSPITAL consultants earning an average of €134,000 a year for treating private patients will be financially compensated by the VHI if the cost of living rises.

The specialists, who were earning an annual average of €127,000 for treating VHI patients, last week received a 6% increase from the insurers, bringing their average salary to €134,620.

But a special inflation clause has also been built into the latest VHI fee package which means that if the cost of living climbs above 6%, consultants will get more money to ensure their pay packet is not eroded by high inflation.