Regional hospitals to come under private sector control

TWO of the country’s largest regional hospitals are set to be put under private sector control in a drastic attempt by the Government to fill posts and improve standards.

Health Minister James Reilly said the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick and University Hospital Galway will come under outside consultancy management.

However, IMPACT, the trade union, said the move may breach the Croke Park Agreement, and means a system which encouraged senior officials to retire early “is now forced to rely on more expensive measures to fill the human resources gaps” caused by the plan.