Talks to try to resolve the on-going row over insurance cover for hospital consultants broke down yesterday after the Medical Defence Union walked out of a meeting with Department of Health officials.
Negotiations between the Department, MDU and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) had been continuing for some time in attempts to resolve the dispute over who will indemnify consultants into the future against claims arising out of past incidents of negligence.
A Department spokeswoman said yesterday: "We are disappointed that the MDU have stalled the talks. However, the Department remains committed to finally resolving the outstanding issues." She said in that spirit, the secretary general of the Department had written to the CEO of the MDU that afternoon to suggest a way of maintaining the momentum of recent weeks.
Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick, IHCA general secretary, said consultants had met the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, on Thursday and were advised that while there was a lot to be done, progress was being made. He had spoken to the MDU CEO, Dr Michael Saunders, yesterday morning and there was no indication of any objection that would cause him to walk out.
Consultants would meet Dr Saunders next Tuesday to find out what had happened. According to the Irish Medical Times website, Dr Saunders said he hoped the Department would reconsider its position.