Consultants refuse to rule out compo bid

HOSPITAL consultants have refused to rule out seeking compensation for co-operating with the plan to free up 1,000 beds for public patients.

Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney has proposed building new private hospitals on the campuses of public hospitals to which 1,000 private patients will be transferred.

Ms Harney, however, is adamant the new hospitals will only be built where consultants accept there is no question of them being compensated.