Full implementation of consultant contract ‘patchy’, meeting hears

The full implementation of the public-only consultant contract (POCC) to allow for “increased patient contact hours” is “patchy”, heard a joint Department of Health/HSE meeting.

Minutes of the 23 September meeting of the Sláintecare programme board noted that the growth in consultant numbers combined with the introduction of the POCC was “enabling hospitals to deliver key services such as outpatient appointments” over six days a week. However, “the full potential of this contract is yet to be realised.”

Members welcomed “successful implementation” of the POCC in some sites in terms of increased patient contact hours. However, the minutes noted that the level of implementation “across the board is patchy, which points to significant potential for improvements”.

The board was established in 2021 to drive the principles of Sláintecare reform throughout the health and social care service. It is co-chaired by the Secretary-General of the Department and the CEO of the HSE, and reports to the Minister for Health. It also comprises other senior members of the Department and the HSE.

Asked about the “patchy” implementation across hospital sites, a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent that “hospital specific” data would need to be sought from the health regions. However, the spokesperson confirmed that the national uptake of the POCC continued to rise.

As of November 2025, some 2,182 consultants had changed to the POCC, while 1,079 new entrants held the POCC. This provided a total of 3,261, which is over two-thirds of consultants working  in the public health service.