Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1560. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in full what he hopes to achieve from the current discussions with the consultant groups and how this will differ to what was already agreed in the Croke Park agreement in 2010 and also as part of the 2008 consultant contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37100/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1561. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is committed to ensuring that consultants are rostered for a seven-day week as opposed to a five-day week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1592. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if reductions in fees paid to hospital consultants have been accounted for in his budget estimates; the level by which they will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1560, 1561 and 1592 together.
Following a request on 13 September by senior health service management on behalf of the Government, intensive discussions between health service employers and the two consultant representative bodies commenced immediately at the Labour Relations Commission. These dealt with a range of matters, including measures to ensure that the relevant parts of the Health Sectoral Agreement within the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 can be given effect. These discussions concluded on 17 September.
The outcome of this engagement is that the following proposals have been agreed between the parties: Consultants will be available for rostering for any five days out of seven as opposed to weekdays as at present; There can be rostering of consultants where required on 16/7 (8 a.m. to midnight) or 24/7 basis in services where this is required (primarily Emergency Depts., obstetrics, anaesthetics); Clinical Directors will have strengthened management role and all consultants will be subject to Clinical Director’s authority, e.g. re work schedules, performance, annual leave, cross-cover arrangements and compliance with rules on private practice; Consultants’ work location can to be changed to facilitate the most appropriate organisation of hospital services; There will be cooperation with a range of measures to support improved Community and Mental Health services; Consultants commit to expeditious processing and signing of claims for submission to private health insurers; There will be more cost-effective arrangements for funding of continuing medical education.
Separately, Government will apply a 30% reduction in salary for future consultant appointees and implement the Government “pay cap” so that salaries for future academic consultants will not exceed €200,000 p.a. Current consultants’ pay is protected under the Croke Park Agreement.
Two matters, viz management proposals to reduce the “rest day” arrangements that currently apply and the elimination of the fee to consultant psychiatrists for giving a second opinion under the Mental Health Act 2001 will be referred to the Labour Court, in line with the procedures provided for in the Public Service Agreement. The issue of “historic rest days” will be referred to the Labour Court in line with normal procedures.
