HSE ends 2008 with total deficit of €1.1bn

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) ended last year with a total deficit of €1.1 billion.

The health authority’s 2008 annual report also shows that it accrued losses of more than €250 million during the year.

The biggest drain on its finances was the 11% rise in demand for primary care and medical card schemes that increased by €325m.