Hospice may refer homecare funding cuts to ombudsman

A HOSPICE that had funding for a homecare service for patients cut last year has threatened to refer the Department of Health to the Ombudsman if the money is not restored.

The Northwest Hospice in Sligo said the fact that several health boards returned budget surpluses in 2003 proved that the funding cut was unnecessary.

Spokesman Eugene McGloin said the hospice "seriously considered abandoning" an expansion to the service because of financial pressures.