BACKROOM HSE staff spent thousands of euro in taxpayers’ money on flowers, candlesticks, hotels, foreign trips, restaurant tips and phone calls — including some from abroad by people allegedly on sick leave.

TWO retired health board officials and a former senior trade unionist received hundreds of thousands of euro in HSE consultancy fees for projects that were never put out to tender.

A MAJOR row is erupting between medical consultants and the HSE over claims some doctors are breaching their contracts by treating almost double the number of private patients than allowed under existing rules.

Negotiations between the HSE and nursing unions are understood to be in a critical phase.

HEALTH service management have been warned that nurses will consider all options, including industrial action, in their campaign for better pay and conditions.

Two nurses' unions today said they will ask their 40,000 members to consider strike action as they push for better pay and a 35-hour working week.

HOSPITAL consultants have accused Health Service Executive (HSE) employers of having “no real interest in health reform”.

Two medical organisations have withdrawn from talks due to take place today with health service bosses to negotiate a new contract for hospital consultants.

In her anxiety to hold out the possibility of widening the medical card recipient pool, Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney last December announced 200,000 GP-only cards were to be issued.