Hospital consultants ‘heeded union warnings’

HOSPITAL consultants have largely heeded their unions’ warnings not to apply for the new posts advertised under an imposed work contract, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has claimed.

Responding to Health Minister Mary Harney’s revelation that a little more than 100 applications have been received for 68 consultant posts, the IMO said that, under normal circumstances, the figure would have been closer to 1,360 applications for the €205,000 plus posts.

“Under normal circumstances, each of those posts would have attracted between 15 and 20 applicants,” said Fintan Hourihan, IMO industrial relations chief. “I’m sure the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health must be concerned at such a low expression of interest. Obviously, doctors have taken heed of our warnings,” said Mr Hourihan.