Harney defends €1bn budget healthcuts and downgrading of hospitals

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has insisted plans to impose deep cuts on frontline services in the upcoming budget will not “cripple” the system, despite the fact health funding is set to be reduced by at least €1 billion.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) in Adare, Co Limerick, the senior cabinet member defended the imminent cuts and her controversial hospital reconfiguration plans.

Ms Harney said the country’s economic crisis means it is impossible to avoid cutbacks.

However, in a move that appeared to imply changed work practices involving both staff and wards, she said the Croke Park Agreement could allow for controversial savings through some staff in quiet wards switching to busy ones if required.

During the conference Ms Harney highlighted the need to aim for 80% of all surgery cases being treated on a day-case basis.

The figure is significantly higher than the existing level and would lead to increased workloads for medical staff. However, if implemented, the plan would help to free up beds.

The minister repeated her belief that the controversial downgrading of hospitals like Mallow General and the centralisation of services in larger facilities was in the best interests of patients.

However, her claims were criticised earlier in the day by IHCA officials who insisted the Health Minister’s position ignored reality.

“The crude embargo on jobs in the health service is cutting the frontline services provided by doctors, nurses and others, while it is having less impact on the numbers employed in administration,” warned IHCA president and consultant psychiatrist Dr Margo Wrigley.

“If the HSE had a real concern about health rather than numbers in an accountant’s column, it would see this and make immediate reforms,” she said, adding that after five years the HSE remained cumbersome, inefficient and “not fit for purpose”.

Highlighting her concerns and those of other medics, Dr Wrigley said the health body was established “without a single efficiency”.

She continued that while civil servant administrators from the old health boards had kept their jobs, doctors and nurses are the victims of a recruitment freeze.

Her comments were echoed by Dr Anthony Staines, Professor of Health Systems Research, School of Nursing at Dublin City University, who said the imminent health service cuts in the upcoming budget will seriously damage patient safety.