€1bn shortfall ‘immense challenge’ for HSE next year

THE Health Service Executive is facing a funding shortfall of almost €1bn next year.

Chief executive of the health authority, Cathal Magee, said it would be an “immense challenge” to operate within funding and employment constraints in a way that minimised the impact on patients.

The HSE’s 2011 National Service Plan shows that it will have a funding cut of €683m. An additional €279m will have to be found for medical cards, new services, pensions, clinical indemnity and cancer screening.