Consultants told no pay rise unless work practices change

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney said the €140 million for pay increases under the new consultants’ contract next year would not be released until there was real change in the way patient services were delivered.

The minister decided to withhold €68m set aside this year for salary increases and additional payments because work practice changes were not enough to justify it. Consultants recently opted to accept new, higher-paid contracts in return for work practice changes.

The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association (IHCA), which represents a majority of consultants, met Ms Harney yesterday to express concern about her decision.

The IHCA did not issue a statement following the meeting.

IHCA assistant secretary general Donal Duffy said the association’s national council would meet later today but there was no “guarantee” a statement would be issued afterwards.

During the meeting, Ms Harney focused on the need in 2009 for the implementation of the new contract that would result in changes in the way patient services are organised. She said the money that was being allocated was for radically new work practices delivered by consultant leaders centrally involved in planning, organisation and delivery of patient care.

Ms Harney said she was encouraged by the support shown by consultants for the implementation of the new leadership model. She also confirmed the money for the implementation of the changes would be available next year, even though the Government was facing a very challenging economic situation.

Ms Harney said the money was for work practice changes — longer working days, structured weekend cover and clinical directors.

The minister said she could not commit to paying the €68m retrospectively, but would be keeping the matter under review, in consultation with her cabinet colleagues.

There is €140m set aside in the budget to pay for the new consultants’ contract next year, although the Health Service Executive (HSE) is hoping to make savings from having fewer junior doctors working overtime.

The IHCA has asked all its members to write to the HSE advising it of the hours they have worked since signing the new contract. It has also urged around 300 consultants who opted for a public patient only contract to advise the HSE that they have suffered a loss of income from private patients in anticipation of receiving an increased salary.