Consultants find ‘gagging clause’ hard to swallow in contract talks

HOSPITAL consultants last night reported progress in talks on a new contract, including an improvement in a ‘gagging clause’ that would have prevented them from speaking out on behalf of patients.

Finbarr Fitzpatrick, general secretary of the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA), said health employers had agreed that consultants could continue to advocate on behalf of patients.

As the contract proposal stands, prior approval will still have to be sought from hospital bosses before airing hospital issues publicly, which Mr Fitzpatrick said falls far short of the existing contract.

“We need to have contractual protection to be allowed speak on behalf of patients... without fear of penalty. We see this as ethically important and as part of the job,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.

Yesterday’s discussions partially dealt with a proposed extended working day from 7am to 10pm, as well as round-the-clock consultant cover in certain specialties.

Mr Fitzpatrick said there was also a need for more discussion on management proposals for clinical directorships, which would see some consultants splitting their time between consultant work and acting as clinical directors.

He said clarification was also needed on the division of clinical services between public hospitals and proposed co-located facilities.

The report of the talk’s chairman, barrister Mark Connaughton, was brought to Cabinet by Health Minister Mary Harney yesterday.

He said he had “no intention in perpetuating the discussions for one day longer than is necessary”.

Mr Connaughton added, however, that the contract on offer from the HSE was a particularly thorny issue and would cause difficulties.

The Government has put a seven week deadline on the talks, which expires at the end of March.