A new public-only hospital contract is expected to be agreed by Government today. It will allow for enhanced pay for consultants of a quarter of a million euro per year – so long as they renounce all future private work in return. Former Health Minister Simon Harris secured agreement in the last Government for the creation of public-only consultants in future, with the long-term aim of easing private patients out of acute hospitals. Most contracts currently pay €175,000 to €200,000 annually, but consultants are boosting their take-home significantly by adding private patients to their responsibilities. The new public-only contract would become the only one on offer from the State in future, clearing acute hospitals for public-only in the fullness of time.

Source: Irish Independent September 29, 2020 10:29 UTC