Consultants threaten renewed strike in insurance row impasse

HOSPITAL consultants yesterday called for an independent facilitator to head up talks to resolve a crisis over medical insurance cover.

If the row drags on, they intend asking all their members to vote in early September to reinstate deferred industrial action.

"A strike would be an absolute disaster," Irish Hospital Consultants' Association (IHCA) president Dr Josh Keaveny told a media briefing. "It would not suit our patients and it would not suit us," he said.