Just one in seven public consultants working Saturdays

Recent data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals that only one in seven hospital consultants under the new public-only contracts are working on Saturdays, while only one in three are working extended day shifts. The Public Only Consultant Contract, implemented over three years ago, aimed to optimize clinic and operating theatre usage and increase consultant availability for treating patients outside regular weekday hours.

However, the figures show a slow progress towards this goal. Out of 3,200 consultants who provided their hours to the HSE, only 14% worked on Saturdays, and just 38% worked extended day shifts. The Social Democrats' spokesperson on Health, Padraig Rice, emphasized that consultants must adhere to the public-only contract fully and implement it as intended.

He expressed dissatisfaction that such a low percentage of consultants are working on weekends, highlighting that extended hours during evenings and weekends were a core part of the reform. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) also called for additional staff and resources at weekends to support consultants, stressing that running scheduled work, such as outpatient clinics, on Saturdays requires a team of people.

Professor Mick Molloy, a consultant in emergency medicine and Chair of the IMO consultants Committee, pointed out that rosters for weekend clinics need to be carefully planned, as canceling appointments can disrupt the intended purpose of the reform.