Chair sought briefing on Beaumont Private Clinic

Beaumont Private Clinic (BPC) will be treated as an off-site facility for holders of the public-only consultant contract (POCC) from January 2026, in accordance with HSE advice, according to the hospital. BPC operates as a “standalone facility under separate ownership and governance from Beaumont Hospital”.

“Holders of pre-existing consultant contracts may continue to practice in BPC as determined at section 21 of the type B contract and the limits specified therein will continue to apply,” Beaumont Hospital’s spokesperson told the Medical Independent.

In June 2025, Ms Pauline Philip, Chairperson of Beaumont Hospital, requested a briefing on whether BPC would be con sidered an on- or off-site facility for consultants after 2025. Ms Philip raised the issue in the context of the POCC, according to hospital board minutes. She queried whether POCC consultants could still engage in private work in BPC after 31 December 2025. 

Beaumont Hospital’s Deputy CEO, Mr David Sweeney, stated that advice had been sought from the hospital’s solicitors to confirm the designation of the site after 31 December 2025, “under the new contracts.”

Since March 2023, the POCC is the only contract available to new consultants in the public health service. Consultants on pre-existing contracts can choose whether to sign the POCC.

Consultants who switched to the POCC on or before 31 December 2023 are entitled to continue “on-site private practice” until 31 December 2025 (with stipulations around reducing this practice). POCC consultants can undertake private practice in private facilities outside of their scheduled public service commitment, subject to certain restrictions.

BPC is located on the grounds of Beaumont Hospital. It is a private limited company through which consultants provide private outpatient services. In Beaumont Hospital’s 2023 financial statement, BPC was one of three parties listed under “leased properties”.

“Beaumont Hospital has long-term ground rent lease agreements with the parties listed… following the agreement to permit relevant parties construct properties on hospital grounds.”

The ground rent from the three properties – including BPC – amounted to €216,638. A hospital spokesperson said it applies annual utility and service charges to BPC in accordance with the terms of the lease agreement. According to HSE guidance on the POCC (May 2023), privately-owned clinics that are “co-located” will be considered ‘off-site’.