Credits row stalls doctors’ salary deal

Attempts to reach agreement on new improved pay scales for hospital consultants are being stymied by an argument over what credits experienced doctors are entitled to under the new scale, according to the doctors’ union.

The Irish Medical Organisation wants doctors returning from abroad or working within the Irish health service who apply for jobs in the public system to be paid at a level that reflects their experience — and the union wants to be party to a framework governing what those payments should be.

However, the Health Service Executive claims the pay proposals, drawn up by the Labour Relations Commission, give full regard to the relevant experience of doctors.