Public Only Consultant Contract (POCC) holders are not permitted to engage in private practice within public hospitals. This position is unequivocal. There are no exemptions, arrangements or deviations from the terms of the contract. It has emerged that some private consultants specialising in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cork University Maternity Hospital have also been making payments or “gifts” to public consultants for covering their clinical duties related to pregnancy care.
Any suggestion of private financial arrangements in this context would be inconsistent with contractual obligations, would raise serious concerns, and risks diverting time and resources away from treating public patients. Ensuring equitable access to high-quality care based on need, not ability to pay, is a core objective of Sláintecare. Separately, any tax compliance issues arising from payments linked to work or the provision of services would be a matter for Revenue.
It is the Minister’s expectation that all hospitals and all consultants are fully compliant with the terms of the contract. Where deviations have been identified, the Minister has been clear that immediate action must be taken by the HSE to ensure full compliance.
