The Department of Health has signalled that hospital consultants will not be able to receive fees for private patients treated in public beds under planned new eligibility reforms to be introduced in the months ahead.
Questions raised by medical organisations about these eligibility reforms led to scheduled plenary talks between health service management and medical organisations on a new contract for hospital consultants not taking place yesterday.
The independent chairman of the talks process, senior counsel Mark Connaughton, held a bilateral meeting with health service management for several hours.
It is understood that the medical organisations sought clarification from management on the full extent of the Government's proposals for reforming eligibility for public hospital services.
They have asked whether the current system whereby everyone is entitled to a public bed in a public hospital would continue.
The medical organisations have also sought clarification on the operation of co-location hospitals. It was unclear last night as to when the talks on the contract would resume.
Mr Connaughton is due to provide a report by the weekend on whether he believes that a basis exists for a deal between the parties.
Yesterday had been scheduled to be a key day in the current round of negotiations on a new contract.
The introduction of new legislation to clarify and simplify eligibility to medical services is one of the Department of Health's priorities for the months ahead.
Sources said that as part of these plans it would seek to begin enforcing the cap on the number of private patients treated in public hospitals to ensure greater equity for public patients.
At present, an average of 20 per cent of beds in public hospitals are designated for private patients.