€750m in healthcare cuts to hit the most vulnerable

THE old, the sick and the vulnerable will bear the brunt of HSE plans to cut €750 million from a creaking health system.

Despite claims from Health Minister James Reilly that the move means funds will be more effectively targeted, the HSE’s national service plan has sparked outrage among patient advocates over the impact it will have on care.

Among the €750m worth of cutback measures, which mean €2.5 billion has been slashed from the system since January 2010, are: