IHCA Media Statement on Breach of Contract Cases

IHCA Media Statement on Breach of Contract Cases

26th January, 2016: The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has welcomed the decision by the HSE to withdraw its appeal against the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) determinations which found in favour of two IHCA members Dr Tom Hogan and Dr John McDermott. As a consequence, the EAT determinations must now be implemented in full by the HSE including the payment of the unlawful salary deductions.

Commenting on the decision, Mr Martin Varley, Secretary General of the IHCA said: “It is very unfortunate that Dr Hogan and Dr McDermott were forced to the steps of the High Court to have their contract terms honoured. The persistent and repeated refusal of the HSE to honour the 2008 Consultant Contracts has seriously undermined trust between hospital consultants and the HSE and is one of the key reasons that the Irish health service is experiencing an unprecedented medical brain drain. Today there are over 400 vacant permanent consultant posts in the Irish health service which is undermining the quality and safety of patient care, increasing delays in providing care and is leading to longer waiting lists.”

ENDS

For more information:

James Dunny, FleishmanHillard - +353 86 388 3903 / Fiona Murphy, FleishmanHillard - + 353 87 8194464