Consultant questions seven-day plan

A doctor who works at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry has questioned government calls for consultants to work weekends, allowing the hospitals to provide a seven-day service.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said on Thursday that seven-day working for hospital doctors in England would be imposed if negotiations with their representatives fail to reach agreement.

As BBC News NI Health Correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly reports, there has been a favourable response to the idea from local politicians and unions - but at a price.