Hospital consultants to withdraw from admin duties

The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association is to engage in industrial action in protest at the Government's decision to press ahead with a medical indemnity scheme above the heads of doctors.

The scheme is designed to indemnify public hospital consultants against insurance claims, but the IHCA said it has been finalised without the consultants' approval.

The association said Health Minister Micheál Martin promised that no changes would be introduced without its agreement, but the Cabinet signed off on the proposed scheme last Tuesday.

The IHCA said its members will withdraw from administrative duties in protest at this "breach of faith".