Row between minister and Rotunda management 'unseemly'

Sinn Féin has labeled the ongoing dispute between the Health Minister and the management of the Rotunda Hospital as "unseemly," while affirming its confidence in the hospital's Master. The controversy revolves around private work conducted by consultants who are on public-only contracts.

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There's a lot for this hospital and the Master of the hospital and the management of the hospital to discuss with this minister.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has given the Rotunda Hospital until tomorrow to provide the Health Service Executive (HSE) with a comprehensive audit of all private work undertaken by consultants. She also indicated that women who paid for such services should be reimbursed and warned the hospital that it lacked permission to permit consultants on public-only contracts to continue private work within its facilities.

The conflict escalated after a hearing last week at the Oireachtas Health Committee. Professor Sean Daly, the Master of the Rotunda, stated that the practice was ongoing despite previous directives to cease. The 'public-only consultant contract' was implemented across the health service in March 2023 as part of the Sláintecare initiative, with 70% of consultants signing up. These contracts prohibit private work in public hospitals, and consultants had until the end of last year to transition.

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Any row or standoff in my view on contracts is unseemly it’s in nobody's interest. It’s not in the interest of the hospital and it’s certainly not in the interests of women whether they are public or private patients availing of services in any hospital.

David Cullinane, Sinn Féin's health spokesperson, urged both parties to meet and resolve the dispute. He described any "row or standoff" over contracts as unseemly and detrimental to the hospital and its patients. Cullinane emphasized his party's support for public-only contracts and public healthcare, while acknowledging the need for some flexibility during contract negotiations. He stressed that well-paid consultants on these contracts must fulfill their public work obligations.

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these are well paid consultants and well-paid contracts to do public work