UP TO 40,000 outpatients face cancelled appointments following the apparent collapse yesterday of talks aimed at resolving an insurance row between the State and hospital consultants.

BADLY managed hospitals where patients’ health is not improved by high treatment costs have been fined €7.5 million.

UP to 1.5 million people face a further hike in private health insurance costs on foot of Government plans to increase the cost of a private hospital bed by 25%.

HOSPITAL consultants earning an average of €134,000 a year for treating private patients will be financially compensated by the VHI if the cost of living rises.

HOSPITALS found guilty of bad management and keeping patients in beds too long have been hit with fines totalling €6.4 million.

REDUCING junior hospital doctors’ working hours without appointing additional consultants could force the closure of smaller hospitals.