Patients’ group appeals to hospital consultants to suspend industrial action

A PATIENTS’ group last night appealed to hospital consultants to suspend their industrial action as more than 200 patients due for operations this week have had their procedures cancelled.

As talks in the row over insurance cover for medical malpractice continue, it emerged that any lengthy dispute could lead to a cancellation of surgery and out-patient appointments for more than 40,000 patients.

Stephen McMahon, who heads the Irish Patients Association (IPA), said: “It’s in everyone’s interests the dispute is resolved.