Consultants give Harney five weeks to solve hospital row

HOSPITAL consultants yesterday gave Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney five weeks to resolve their insurance row after they voted to ballot their members on strike action.

But Ms Harney last night said the “the real sufferers” of any strike action would be patients.

A date of March 14 was set for the beginning of the industrial action, which will involve consultants completing emergency work only and not taking part in scheduled surgery or outpatient clinics.