Confusion as HSE informs GPs of ban on X-ray referrals

THE HSE has caused widespread confusion among GPs after it wrongly told them it was banning all future X-ray referrals to Cork University Hospital due to the budget crisis.

In correspondence sent to GPs on Wednesday, the HSE South said the major facility will refuse to accept any more referrals for issues such as limb breaks, ultra- sounds and bone density tests until at least the end of this year.

The letter, seen by the Irish Examiner, specifically said the move will be implemented from today and is the direct result of widespread HSE cutbacks.

Management attempts to bring the budget overspend of €304 million at the start of August down were described as “heroic” by Health Minister James Reilly earlier this week.

However, spokesman for the HSE confirmed yesterday that the correspondence was sent in error and that this is being clarified with GPs. While it is one of a number of options which have been proposed to cut spending, the plan has not been signed off on by senior officials and is not on the agenda, the spokesman said.

The letter was sent to all HSE South GPs by Dr Denis Kelly, consultant radiologist and chairman of CUH’s radiology division, and Catherine O’Neill, the hospital’s radiology service manager.

It read: “It is with regret that from close of business Friday, October 7, the radiology department is no longer in a position to accept any GP referrals for radiological services at CUH. Current GP requests which have been received by the radiology department and have not been given an appointment date will be returned to the referring GP.

“The imperative need for the hospital and its departments to operate within its current resources has led to additional staffing restrictions being imposed on the radiology department.”

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