Contract talks deadline angers hospital consultants

Hospital consultants were tonight angered at Government plans to impose a deadline on new contract talks.

Minister for Health Mary Harney insisted today that drawn-out negotiations between with her officials would not be in the interest of patients.

But the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) said that several complex issues needed to be teased out and could not be rushed.

The IHCA said it was willing to change members’ work practices but wants Ms Harney to allocate extra beds, consultants and nurses.

Speaking after she addressed the IHCA annual conference in Co Galway, Ms Harney insisted: “Clearly, you don’t have to go on talking forever to get the appropriate outcome.

“Long meetings are not necessarily better meetings. A long-drawn out talks process will not be in the patients’ interests.”

But IHCA president Dr Josh Keaveny said: “Consultants will not be tied to a deadline for the completion of talks with the Government on a new contract.”

An 18-month delay on talks ended last night after a dispute over medical lawsuit cover was resolved.

The Government has agreed that the state will act as guarantor for more of the cost of malpractice awards against certain doctors, making their private insurance more affordable.