Hospital doctors say they only partially agree with the demands put forward by the Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD), cautioning that some proposals go too far.

Medical councils from the country's hospitals acknowledge that the relationship with the National Health Fund (CNS) needs to change, but they remain sceptical about several other points raised by the doctors' and dentists' association.

According to Dr Cyril Thix, president of the medical council at the Hôpitaux Robert Schuman, doctors have too little influence over how their profession is practised, and there is a growing sense that the CNS is making decisions unilaterally. He therefore understands why the AMMD decided to terminate its agreements with the CNS.

"That means that if you now see that less and less is being listened to in the establishment of the agreement, then you can understand that it could be terminated later."

However, hospital doctors believe the AMMD's current demands go much further than before. Implementing them would require a fundamental shift in the health system, a prospect they view with caution.

"We are a small country. If you were to effectively liberalise everything now, it would be too confusing. That has too many risks. That means the fact that we have a framework there that is relatively clearly defined is important to us. And we definitely have sympathy for that system, where everything is more egalitarian oriented."

They warn that if conditions become too favourable for doctors working outside hospitals, essential services in clinics could suffer in the long run.

"If I can now just do a selection of things outside the hospital and close my office at 6pm, have my weekends off and my holidays off. Why should I still work in the hospital?"

Dr Thix was cautious in his comments, but it is clear – especially in light of positions taken by the Medical College – that there are differing views within the profession and that the AMMD does not necessarily speak for all doctors.

"As of today, the AMMD is effectively the association that is representative of doctors and yes, they are already censored to represent an opinion that represents the average of doctors and that needs to be discussed further."

At present, dialogue between hospital medical councils and the AMMD is limited.

"At the moment I can't say that there is a great deal of dialogue between the medical councils and the AMMD."

Dr Thix stressed that rebuilding dialogue between all partners is essential. In his view, everything can be discussed.