Consultants to ballot for industrial action

The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association has voted to go ahead with a ballot for industrial action.

The Association voted 300 to 2 in Dublin today to undertake a secret ballot of its 1,700 members in the row over medical insurance.

Consultants want the State to pay for malpractice claims, after the British-based Medical Defence Union said it will no longer cover the consultants.

If the row is not resolved, consultants will begin to withdraw non-emergency cover from March 14, affecting up to 15,000 patients a week.

It’s expected the Irish Medical Organization will cooperate closely with the IHCA during any industrial action.

Minister for Health Mary Harney has urged consultants not to go ahead with the strike.