Health watchdog warning over budget cutbacks

Ireland’s health watchdog has acknowledged that billions of euro worth of cutbacks to the health service over the coming years could cause another hospital crisis like that seen at Tallaght.

Speaking at the Oireachtas health committee meeting, Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) chief executive Dr Tracey Cooper said the budget cuts will prove “challenging” to already struggling facilities.

The independent expert said Tallaght Hospital’s new board was working to improve the service after a damning Hiqa investigation last week raised serious concerns over standards at the Dublin hospital.