asked the Minister for Health the reason the review of the common contract for hospital consultants has been abandoned for several months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
66.
Written Answers. - Hospital Consultants' Common Contract.
40.
asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to renegotiate the common contract; if he will outline his objectives going into any such negotiations; and if he has satisfied himself regarding the current terms of the current agreement.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 40 and 66 together.
I initiated a review of the common contract for consultants last year following the failure of my predecessors to make progress in that regard. An agenda of issues to be covered was agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation. For my part, I was particularly concerned that issues of accountability, of the implications of the mix of public and private practice in our hospitals, and of the contribution to be made by consultants to the management of hospital resources would be discussed and appropriate arrangements put in place.
Subsequential progress was made, including a joint statement that the scheduling of consultants activities should be agreed with local hospital managements in order to secure the efficient use of hospital resources. Local discussions have been taking place as part of that agreed statement. A meeting of the negotiating groups is being arranged to review the outcome of those discussions.