Rotunda Hospital Must Audit Private Work by Public-Only Consultants by Today's Deadline

The Rotunda Hospital must provide the HSE with an audit of all private work conducted by consultants on public-only contracts by today. This deadline was set by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill following a hearing last week at the Oireachtas Health Committee.

During the hearing, the Master of the Rotunda, Professor Sean Daly, stated that the practice of consultants on public-only contracts performing private work was continuing despite a directive to stop. The «public-only consultant contract» was introduced in March 2023 as part of the Sláintecare initiative, with 70% of consultants signing up. This contract prohibits private work in public hospitals.

Of the 32 consultants providing maternity care at the Rotunda, 14 are on public-only contracts. Minister Carroll MacNeill seeks confirmation that this practice has ceased and suggested recompensing women who paid for such services. She warned the Rotunda Hospital that it lacks permission for consultants on public-only contracts to continue private work.

Sinn Féin expressed confidence in the Master of the Rotunda Hospital, calling the dispute between the Minister and hospital management «unseemly». Sinn Féin health spokesperson David Cullinane urged both sides to meet and resolve the issue, emphasizing that such a standoff is not in the interest of the hospital or patients. He affirmed support for public-only contracts while acknowledging the need for some flexibility during negotiations.