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Welcome to irishhealth.com (22 May, 2013) Quickfind
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Consultants: 85% back strike

[Posted: Wed 11/02/2004 www.irishhealth.com]

by Fergal Bowers

Hospital consultants have voted by a majority of 85% for industrial action.

The results of a ballot by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) were released this evening.

Tomorrow, the IHCA will meet with the Health Service Employers Agency (HSEA) to discuss contingency arrangements for the industrial action and the details of how emergencies and essential care will be covered. The IHCA says it represents 1,450 consultants.

Tonight it said that as over 70% of admission cases are emergencies, continuing care and care of urgent cases will be provided as normal during the action.

From February 23, consultants will provide only emergency cover in hospitals, provoking a crisis for hospitals. The IHCA emphasized that it was taking industrial action not strike action.

It is the first time that consultants will have taken such action. The consultants are in dispute with the Health Minister over a new insurance scheme introduced earlier this month without their agreement and concerns over how malpractice lawsuits from patients relating to past care will be covered.

Another meeting between the Department of Health and the British insurance firm, the Medical Defence Union, which is also involved in the row, takes place on Friday. The two sides met today in London but have made no comment.

The MDU has warned that it may not be able to meet claims for past events and wants the Irish Government to agree a funding deal on the matter.

 

  Anonymous   Posted: 11/02/2004 20:36
As with all disputes, it's the public who suffer not the government.
 
 
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