Rotunda stops consultants on public-only contracts treating private patients
The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin has moved to stop consultants on public-only contracts from treating private patients.
The decision by the maternity hospital’s board of governors came after a stand-off with the Government over the issue.
The dispute intensified two weeks ago after the Master of the Rotunda, Professor Seán Daly, told the Oireachtas Health Committee that consultants on public-only contracts were still treating private patients at the hospital, despite a deadline for ending such arrangements expiring at the end of last year.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill had asked the hospital to provide an audit to the HSE by the end of Monday outlining the private work still being done at the Rotunda by consultants on public-only contracts.
The move to consultants working on public-only contracts was a key provision of the Government’s Sláintecare healthcare reforms.
In a statement on Monday evening, the hospital said the potential of losing out on Government funding over the issue had been a consideration in its decision to cease the arrangements.
“The Board of Governors of the Rotunda Hospital met this evening and has unanimously decided to bring the hospital’s arrangements into line with the Government’s policy on the terms of the public only consultant contract,” said the statement.
“The threat of withdrawal of funding was something the Board could not countenance because of the potential consequences for women and babies.
“The Board is confident that the safety and clinical outcomes for all women and their babies is of the highest standard in the Rotunda Hospital.
“The Board continues to believe in the importance of choice for women and that a compromise solution for maternity care should be sought through dialogue with the Department of Health and the HSE.”
Responding to the Rotunda statement, Carroll MacNeill said: “I welcome the decision of the Board of Governors of the Rotunda Hospital to bring its arrangements into line with Government policy and the terms of the public-only consultant contract.
“All of us, together, can now focus on continuing to deliver the very best care for all women and their babies and implement reforms that strengthen our public health service for all.”
