New Longford chief of IMO hits out at two tier pay row

Longford GP Dr Padraig McGarry has been elected President of the lead representative agency for doctors nationwide and immediately heaped pressure on Health Minister Simon Harris to tackle the “unjust” two tier pay crisis affecting consultants and junior doctors.

Dr McGarry assumed the mantle this week following a four year spell as the IMO's GP Committee Chairman.

Speaking ahead of the body's annual meeting in Killarney, Dr McGarry called on the Government to act in order to fill hundreds of posts and curb growing waiting list numbers.

“Ireland has become a cold house for consultants and that is highlighted by the arbitrary and unjust cuts introduced to the salaries of consultants hired since October 2012,” he said.

“More consultants are leaving Ireland to work abroad and there are over 500 vacant consultant posts which can’t be filled and this means that waiting lists grow longer, money is wasted on hiring of temporary staff and people’s health is placed in jeopardy.”

The issue is one which has brought with it growing anger at the failure to end pay gap concerns which leaves new entrant consultants hired since 2012 on salaries of around €50,000 less than their long-serving counterparts.

Dr McGarry said the understanding between government bosses and teaching unions about the possible elimination of two tier pay scales for its members could not be replicated when considering the consultancy crisis.

“That approach is a non-runner,” he said.

“The consultant pay issue is unique and requires a specific response from government.

“This was acknowledged by the Public Service Pay Commission which said policy responses that may be proposed for new entrants across the public services generally may not address the degree of pay differential which currently applies to the post-October 2012 new entrant consultants.”

Mr Harris responded to those calls by urging consultants and junior doctors to 'engage' with him to set up a process to resolve the issues.

In doing that, he impressed upon the need for the IMO to "get into a room" with health officials in a bid to resolve the impasse.

Dr McGarry, though, said the onus was very much on the power brokers inside Leinster House.

“The persistence of the two-tier pay scale is having a catastrophic effect on the health service, where 20 per cent of our consultant posts lie empty while ER departments and wards are at breaking point.

“The Government has acknowledged that the two-tier system is unjust and needs to change but they have to demonstrate real urgency about this challenge which is directly impacting on lengthening waiting lists for patients.”