Hospital consultants get extension to agree new contract

The Government has given hospital consultants an extra three weeks to agree on a new contract, it emerged tonight.

Health Minister Mary Harney warned last month that she will begin recruiting 1,500 new consultants if agreement is not reached by this week.

But after considering a scheduled report by independent talks chairman, Mark Connaughton, the Government decided to push back the deadline to April 17.

It is believed that Mr Connaughton reported good engagement and substantial progress in the talks between health service employers and hospital consultants.

“During the week of April 17, the Health Service Executive will advertise for new consultants for the health care system,” Ms Harney said.

Ms Harney wants the new contract to allow equal access to public hospitals for all patients and flexibility in staff working arrangements.

She ruled out any further extensions to the talks timetable.

“If we can’t resolve these issues over the next three weeks given the length of time we have already been discussing these issues, I see no reason why we would do it in a further three months.

“I believe there will be goodwill from everybody to focus now over the next three weeks.”