Tension rises as reports back health reform plan

A SCATHING report detailing financial mismanagement by health boards, to be presented to Cabinet today, will back up the Government’s plan for a radical reform of the health service.

As health board management and local politicians prepare to oppose plans to scrap the country’s 10 health boards, a report commissioned by the Department of Finance will outline how the system has squandered millions of euro of taxpayers’ money.

This morning, Minister for Health Micheál Martin and Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy will seek the backing of the Cabinet for the biggest reform of the health service in 30 years.