IHCA to ballot on consultant contract

The national council of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association is to recommend that its members accept the latest proposals on a new contract with the HSE.

It had been expected that the IHCA would advise its members to vote against accepting the HSE deal.

Members were said to be unhappy with proposals for private practise, hours of work and new arrangements for academic medicine in hospitals.

Assistant General Secretary of the IHCA Donal Duffy says members will be advised to accept the deal when they ballot at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, the IMO say third party negotiations are needed for a final push for agreement on the new consultant contract.