Consultants: 100% of work changes for half agreed pay rise

HOSPITAL consultants have raised concern over Health Minister Mary Harney’s plans to cut costs in the health service, claiming that despite agreeing to “100%” of reforms they will only be paid half of the promised salary increase.

Responding to the minister’s announcement of new budget proposals for the health service this year, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association said that while the plans brought an end to “uncertainty” over the new consultant contract, doctors were not receiving the previously detailed pay rise.

According to the medical union, as part of the long drawn-out consultant contract agreement, senior medics have been asked to increase their time at work by 20% and to be available over longer hours from 8am to 8pm.