Consultants threaten strike action

Consultants taking part in an escalating campaign of protest against a new form of medical insurance today warned the Government it must act now to prevent strike action at hospitals across Ireland.

The senior doctors have ceased all administrative duties and vowed not to co-operate with the Department of Health until the matter is resolved.

Everything but emergency work will be withdrawn in two weeks if the dispute is not resolved, they threatened.

The senior doctors have embarked on the action due to anger over the introduction of new medical insurance, known as enterprise liability, without their agreement.

Consultants are particularly concerned that the new insurance scheme does not cover them against claims over past mistakes for which a complaint has not yet been made.

At a briefing ahead of a crucial meeting with government ministers, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said the department must honour its commitments in order to prevent further action from taking place.

Dr Colm Quigley, president of the IHCA, said: “If unresolved, this dispute will see consultants curtailing their services for the first time ever.

“We have been driven to this position by the Department of Health and Children who broke their own commitments to us by introducing this new arrangement without agreement.

“We are now facing a situation whereby consultants can be liable for legal cases from 20 years ago.”

He said there was widespread fear and anger among members, many of whom could see their life’s work wiped out and face financial ruin.

The IHCA, which represents 85% of consultants in the country, began action last week when they stopped participating in contract negotiations.

Results of a ballot on industrial action are expected tomorrow.

The Progressive Democrats said the action was unfair and called on consultants to withdraw their threat of strikes.

Liz O’Donnell said: “It is very regrettable that the consultants have decided to take it out on patients.

“The minister is dealing with the dispute on behalf of the Government.

“Leave the patients out of it. It’s really unfair.”