Irish government plans a “junior” consultant grade

Hospital consultants in the Republic of Ireland are stepping up their campaign against government plans to establish a new grade of less experienced consultant. The Department of Health has proposed the establishment of a “category 3 consultant” who will be 10 years younger on appointment and work longer hours for less pay.

At present, consultants in the republic have between 12 and 17 years of postgraduate training and experience before appointment, resulting in an average age at appointment of 36. The new category of consultant would work 39 hours a week compared with the 33 hours worked by consultants currently.

The doctors would earn about £IR30000 (£24000, $38000) less than consultants who currently have non-private, government salaries of up to £IR80000. The new consultants would also work out of hours to allow for more use of hospital equipment, which is not used in the evenings.

“To appoint someone of lesser experience to a job which is more demanding because of an increasing population and more sophisticated healthcare technology seems to be a retrograde step,” said the secretary general of the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association, Finbarr Fitzpatrick.

Last week the Irish Medical Times, the publication of the Irish Medical Organisation, suggested that the government was also considering a proposal for additional posts which would involve full consultant status but require longer hours.

The final decision on the plan is to be made this month at a forum looking into staffing in the health system.