New consultants' 30% pay drop to apply from Nov 5: Reilly

Health Minister James Reilly has said the Government will push ahead with its decision to cut the pay of all new consultants by 30%.

Speaking in Galway this morning at the Irish Hospital Consultants Association's annual conference Dr Reilly confirmed the HSE will implement new work practices for consultants from November 5.

As part of the reforms, consultants will have to be available for rostering for any five days out of seven instead of only being available for weekdays at present.

The Irish Medical Organisation and the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association will now ballot their members on the proposed reforms.