HSE offers to allow consultants increase private work

The Health Service Executive is reportedly offering to allow consultants to devote up to 30% of their workload to private patients.

Reports this morning say the offer has been put forward as part of long-running negotiations on reform of contracts for hospital doctors.

At present, these doctors are only allowed to devote 20% of their workload to private practice.

Despite the latest HSE offer, this morning's reports say the contract negotiations are far from over, with disagreement still outstanding on other issues such as rosters, clinical independence and doctors' rights to speak publicly on behalf of patients.