HOSPITAL consultants are expected to accept a new offer from the VHI on fees. This would remove the threat of balance billing to patients.
A spokesman for the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said yesterday that it was set to accept the offer made by the VHI over the weekend.
The Irish Hospitals Consultants Association (IHCA) is also expected to recommend the increase of 3.95 per cent to members, but it is believed that there are still minor issues that need to be addressed between the organisation and the VHI.
Meanwhile, both organisations met the independent chairman, Mr Mark Connaughton, at Dublin Castle yesterday to discuss working conditions offered by the Department of Health in a new draft contract.
The IHCA described the contract as "draconian" and walked out of a meeting with Department officials earlier this month. At an e.g.m. last weekend it voted to boycott further face-to-face negotiations with the Department until the draft contract was removed from the talks agenda. The terms of the contract demand more accountability from consultants.
Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick, general secretary of the IHCA, said it had made its position clear yesterday morning to Mr Connaughton. We will not enter discussions with the Department while that document is on the table," he said. His organisation had agreed to meet with the independent chairman for discussions next Wednesday, he said.
Mr Conal Devine, industrial relations director of the IMO, said it had tabled its own response to the proposed contract and presented it yesterday. "We see this as the way forward," he said.
Speaking about the offer Mr Devine said the 3.9 per cent increase was "modest but acceptable". In April the consultants received notification of a new two-year fees schedule of 3 per cent for each year. They demanded a 4.5 per cent increase for the second year.
"Significant progress has been made between the IMO and VHI in the last number of months, in particular on the basis of VHI's agreement to adjust the schedule of fees in the future, in light of established relativities. There is also a commitment that particular criteria will be agreed to determine future increases which means we will not have to go through this haggling," said Mr Devine.