HSE hits back at O’Malley’s attack

EMBATTLED Junior Health Minister Tim O’Malley was last night embroiled in another health row on his own political doorstep in Limerick.

Mr O’Malley had launched a stinging attack on the Midwestern Regional Hospital over its low take-up rate for the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). The scheme was introduced to cut waiting lists for hospital procedures by getting patients treated in outside facilities.

Mr O’Malley said he was profoundly concerned at the low number of patients referred to the NTPF by the Midwestern Regional Hospital.