Sir, - There has been much attention in the media to the issue of millennium payments to healthcare workers. Astronomical rates have been bandied about with little thought to the likelihood of a concrete agreement materialising. Given the Department of Health's record of paying overtime to its overworked hospital doctors, it would seem unlikely.
Amid all the hype it appears to have been forgotten that all non-consultant hospital doctors are paid at a rate of half their normal pay for any overtime worked above 50 hours a week. This rule applies to weekends, bank holidays and public holidays such as Christmas day. This must make them the cheapest labour in the country on such occasions. I would like to reiterate this point publicly to redress the imbalance presented by the media.
The millennium celebration extends for merely one day; the nation's de facto health slaves are usually much cheaper to employ. - Yours, etc., Dr David Robinson, MA, MB, BCh, BAO,
Portobello Harbour, Rathmines, Dublin 6.