Private treatment for public patients hit by funding cuts

THE fund set up to treat public patients in private hospitals has had its budget slashed by 15 million euro for the year.

The Department of Health last night said savings from the Treatment Purchase Fund will make up 40% of the 38m euro in cuts and charges in its budget.

The development is a massive setback to Health Minister Micheál Martin's promise to virtually eradicate waiting lists by the end of next year.