Hospital consultants face pressure to work more as TDs express anger at 500 earning €200k each

Hospital consultants are under pressure to overhaul their work practices after it emerged that 500 are earning €200,000 or more — costing the taxpayer over €100m.

Key negotiations between health chiefs and consultants are under way to extend their working hours and provide extra cover.

HSE chief Cathal Magee yesterday urged clinicians to “step up” and address demands for work practice changes. He confirmed that up to 500 consultants were claiming salaries of €200,000 or more.