Consultant Contract agreed

The_Minister

Even for those of you who hate M.H., you have to admit that this is brilliant step forward. I can't believe that the contract was never changed for over 30 years.
NOTE: Straight from press release: http://www.progressivedemocrats.ie/press_room/2441/

Minister Harney says IHCA acceptance of new contract paves the way for

Friday 16th May 2008
The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D., today (Friday,

16th May 2008) welcomed the result of the ballot by the Irish Hospital

Consultants' Association (IHCA) on the new contract for medical

consultants employed in the public health system.

The Minister said:

"The new contract paves the way for significant changes to be introduced

to improve services for patients. It now allows management and

clinicians to work together in new ways to serve patients better. In

particular it invites clinical leadership for health reform."

"This is the largest redesign of the consultants' contract for 30

years."

"After years of negotiation, it is vital now that this contract is

implemented progressively and quickly from September 1st across our

health services and that patients see the benefits in tangible ways."

"The contract is designed to meet the needs of a modernised health

service, working seven days a week, with assured quality standards and a

much fairer balance for public patients."

"In hospitals, it means that patients should be seen faster by a senior

doctor, admitted faster if necessary, and discharged faster."

"In community services, it means that patients should receive more care

by more senior clinicians, closer to their homes."

"Given the clinical leadership role of consultants, I expect that this

major development will provide the impetus for other healthcare workers

to sign up to reformed work practices throughout the sector".

( A summary of the key features of the new Contract is appended)

Key Features of the New Medical Consultants' Contract

Team Working

Consultants will work in teams rather than as individuals, thereby

facilitating speedier access to hospital services and a more timely

discharge of patients.

Clinical Directors

The appointment of Clinical Directors who will lead and manage

consultants, as well as managing clinical budgets and services for

patients. The Clinical Director will also have a pivotal role in

monitoring compliance with the ratio of public to private practice, and

taking corrective action where the private practice limit is exceeded.

Three Contract Types

Type A: Will work exclusively for the public hospital and will be

remunerated solely by way of salary.

Type B: Will work exclusively for the public hospital but may engage in

limited private practice on the public hospital campus (including in a

co-located hospital) up to a maximum of 20% of total clinical

throughput.

Type C: To be created only in exceptional circumstances where there is a

demonstrable benefit to the public health system. Such a consultant will

be entitled to treat private patients outside the public hospital

campus.

Restrictions on Private Practice

The new private practice provisions, ranging from a total prohibition

(Type A Consultant post) to an upper limit of 20% of overall clinical

throughput, are designed to improve the position of public patients in

terms of their access to the public health system.

Increased Availability of Consultants

. An increase in the length of the working week from 33 to 37 hours.

. An extended working day -8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

. Weekend working: Scheduled attendance of up to five hours (where

required) on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays

These arrangements will result in the increased availability of senior

clinical decision makers to treat and discharge patients as part of the

transition to a consultant-delivered service, from the present

consultant-led service.

Equity of Access to Outpatient Diagnostic Services

A "one for all" access to outpatient diagnostic services for all

patients based solely on medical need.



ENDS: