Consultants’ contract in final stages

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney said yesterday the essence of a new hospital consultants’ contract was now agreed.

But she conceded there were “a number of small areas” — including pay — needing further discussion.

While there was no agreement yet on the Government’s offer of €216,000 a year for consultants who opt to work full-time for public patients only, Ms Harney said she welcomed the comments by the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHEA) at its annual conference. Itemising the changes on the RTÉ Radio This Week programme, the minister said there would not be preferential access for people with private health insurance.