Minister, don’t cave in to the hospital consultants

The public relations campaign by hospital honsultant hoctors about pay has arisen again.

I ask the Minister to consider the following:

- The argument is that the pay in other countries is far greater. This is true when comparing salaries to USA, Canada, Australia and some other wealthy countries. Surely what we should be doing is comparing pay in European countries. Salaries in other countries in Europe are far lower. Check if you don’t believe me.

- We train doctors at considerable expense: about €40,000 per student per year. We don’t ask for a commitment from them to work for a certain time at home after qualifying. Even in a highly wealthy country, such as Qatar, doctors are required to work for four years in their native country. Check if you don’t believe me.

- Hospital consultant doctors pay only a fraction — about 9% — of their indemnity insurance premium, the balance is paid by the HSE. Any other professional such as an architect, engineer or solicitor, etc, pays 100%.

Please Minister, resist the temptation to give in to the demands and in whatever new terms are agreed let them be transparent.

We do not need small print: previous agreements have allowed hospital consultant doctors to have extensive private practices with condition they be just available for work 33 hours a week in the public hospital.

Brian Lyons

Maryboro

Douglas

Cork