Briefing : Back to the drawing board: doctors reject pay proposals

Rejection could lead to HSE agency staff bill soaring to €250 million in 2014

Minister for Health Leo Varadkar:‘The result is very disappointing’Picture: Photocall

Doctors’ rejection of the consultant pay proposals tabled by government threatens to render Minister for Health Leo Varadkar’s efforts to fill vacant consultant posts and reduce the HSE’s soaring spend on agency staff impotent.

Last Friday evening the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) announced the result of its ballot of members on consultant pay.

Doctors voted overwhelmingly to reject the pay proposals, which would have partially ...