Concern at level of private practice in hospitals

Stronger enforcement of the rules limiting private practice in public hospitals is needed, an official from the Department of Health told the Oireachtas health committee.

The department’s assistant secretary Teresa Cody said some consultants had engaged in private practice at levels that “significantly exceeded” the levels provided for in their contracts.

“This may arise in relation to the level of private activity undertaken on-site, or they engage in significant levels of off-site private practice although their contract does not provide for this,” said Ms Cody.