Madam, - I believe the motives behind the impending industrial action by medical consultants must not be taken at face value. The consultants maintain the action is to ensure cover for both patients and consultants in cases of medical negligence prior to implementation of the State-funded Enterprise Liability Scheme. Given the stated position of the Minister that neither patients or doctors will be liable for these cases, the real motives for this action need to be considered.
This proposed action, which will deprive the patients, about whom the consultants declare such concern, of access to assessments and procedures for which they have waited lengthy periods, is simply a flexing of well nourished muscles prior to contractual negotiations.
The consultants feel aggrieved at the introduction of the Enterprise Liability Scheme which essentially focused the State's insurance on the consultants' activities undertaken as part of their common contract. Prior to this the State reimbursed the vast majority of each consultant's personal medical insurance costs (including the cover of private practice which may generate three or four times as much as the consultants' public pay).
This unjustified industrial action by an extremely well compensated group of professionals which will damage the most vulnerable in our society undermines the crocodile tears often shed by the IMO and IHCA on hospital waiting lists and casualty crises. I urge the Minister to hold fast, not be intimidated, and to proceed with new contract negotiations which will be transparent and fairly reflect the amount of services being provided by consultants to the public health service. - Yours, etc.,
Dr SEAN HOLOHAN, Leinster Court, Dublin 6.