Almost three quarters of consultants at UHG and Merlin Park are now on public only contracts.
The figure was revealed at a meeting of the HSE Health Forum West last evening in response to a question from Councillor Shane Forde.
73 percent - or 233 consultants - are now public only, and HSE management said that figure will only rise as it's the only contract on offer for new consultants.
Councillor Forde says it's great to see the needle moving quickly in the right direction.