Hospital consultants accuse Health Minister of avoiding dialogue on rostering

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has accused Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill of maintaining a "closed-door" stance, meeting her just once in the last 20 months despite numerous appeals. IHCA president Gabrielle Colleran will address the issue at the annual conference, stressing that constructive collaboration is essential for patient care and system efficiency. She will argue that the minister’s focus on weekend and evening consultant rostering has not been matched by genuine dialogue.

The Health Service Executive’s chief executive, Anne O’Connor, was forced to cancel her planned remarks, and invitations to deputy chief executive Damien McCallion and former Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt were also withdrawn. The minister’s spokesperson maintains that regular engagements occur with other medical unions and promises further meetings soon.