Clare nursing representatives are warning the HSE simply won’t be able to impose cuts on what’s already an overstretched health service in the Mid West.
The Health Service Executive plans to implement cost saving measures of a 130 million euro in an effort to reign in a spending deficit of more than double that figure.
Cutting agency staff by fifty percent and overtime by ten percent are among the proposals along with reducing home help hours by 600,000.
Its provoked a furious reaction from groups working with older people and the disabled and disagreement between the Government parties.
Head of the the Irish Nurses and MidWives Organisation Liam Doran says services here in the MidWest are already at breaking point and cannot sustain further cuts
However, the new head of the HSE has warned there are further cuts to come in the Health Service.
Speaking after 130 million euro in cost-saving measures were announced yesterday – Tony O’Brien says the HSE will continue to seek ways to reel-in spending while trying to minimise the impact on patient care.
Mr O’Brien says that although he doesn’t know the level of cuts in December’s Budget – the Health Service must address its deficit.
