The UL Hospitals Group has revealed that it spent almost 100,000 euro on taxi services from Ennis General Hospital in 2018.
On foot of a motion from former Councillor James Breen, the hospitals group has told Clare County Council that expenditure on taxi services last year amounted to €94,764.
The Hospitals Group says the taxi services are used to transport patients, sometimes between hospitals, as well as lab and blood samples.
It’s understood the taxi service is contracted out by the Ul Hospitals Group, but James Breen still thinks money could be saved in this area.
Statement from the UL Hospitals Group
Over 80% of the total expenditure on taxi costs across UL Hospitals Group relates to patient transport and over 70% of the total group expenditure relates to dialysis patients alone, including many patients who reside in County Clare.
Taxi services are procured through a competitive tendering process. UL Hospitals Group has found it is far more cost-effective to contract out the above transport requirements, as it obviates the need for significant expenditure on:
• The initial outlay to acquire a fleet of up to 20 cars and minibuses
• Annual fuel, maintenance, insurance, tax and other costs for same
• Labour costs, including overtime given the 24-hour nature of services such as dialysis
