HSE overspend hits elderly and disabled first

THE elderly and patients with mental and physical disabilities were the first to suffer because of delays by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to address its budget overrun last year.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) annual report has found the HSE’s spending in 2007 exceeded its budget provision by €245 million.

The report criticised a “considerable delay in addressing the emergency deficit” when it became obvious earlier in the year.