HOSPITAL consultants have voted overwhelmingly to enter negotiations with the Department of Health on their pay and conditions, reversing an earlier rejection of Department proposals. They also voted to accept a VHI offer of a 3 per cent increase, but only for one year.
The decision came at an extraordinary general meeting of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association on Saturday, where its executive council recommended entering talks with the Department on the basis of the Buckley Review on consultants' pay and conditions. This followed a meeting between the council and the Minister on Friday.
At an earlier e.g.m. last December the consultants rejected the Buckley Review as a basis for discussion. In particular they objected to proposed changes in conditions of employment and other elements of the contract, which, according to the IHCA, would have clawed back the effect of pay improvements.
"The Minister has indicated that he and his Department will adopt a pragmatic approach to the resolution of the very serious problems which we have with the non pay elements of the package," said Dr James Masterson, IHCA president.
"We will be seeking to open negotiations with the Department as early as possible and we will expect to reach conclusion on the package swiftly, certainly not longer than three months."
Referring to an offer from the VHI of a 3 per cent increase in private fees covered by the VHI, Dr Masterson said: "The VHI offer of 3 per cent for two years does not take account of the very real increase in medical inflation.
"If we cannot reach agreement with the VHI on a better offer for next year then we will face the prospect of having to reintroduce balanced billing which is not in the interests of our patients and which is certainly not a preferred option of our members."