Hospitals warned to stay within budget

HOSPITALS around the country were told to survive within their budgets as Mary Harney warned of a “tough, tight year” ahead for the health services.

She pointed to the 278-bed Kerry General Hospital, in Tralee — which has remained within budget for the past three years — as an example of what could be achieved.

“I would like to see other health service managements also living within budget and without reducing services to patients,” the health minister said during a visit to Kerry General.