Consultants: Take account of stealth cuts

HOSPITAL consultants have insisted pay cuts of up to 15% for senior doctors outlined in the budget must include previous “stealth” reductions already taken if they are to be accepted by the profession.

Speaking after a weekend meeting of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association’s (IHCA) national council, assistant secretary general Donal Duffy said the union accepted the need for a pay cut to take place.

The senior official said the budget’s proposal to cut the salary of senior doctors on more than €200,000 a year by 15% and those on €150,000-200,000 by 12% was “understandable” due to the economic downturn.