Munster hospitals €40m over budget
Figures detailed in today’s Irish Examiner show that while Health Minister James Reilly may be forced to cut hospital cash even further in coming weeks, facilities are already struggling to cope.
The HSE’s performance-monitoring report updates reveal that, of the 12 main hospitals in HSE South and six in HSE Mid West, none are within budget.
By July, the facilities were a total of €39.81m over budget, with the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick about €11.91m in the red.
The Cork University Hospital Group, which includes CUH and CUMH, was €8.28m over budget, while Wexford General was €2.84m over budget.
Only four hospitals had over-runs under €1m — the Mid-Western Regional in Ennis (€155,000), Mallow (€172,000), Bantry (€253,000), and the Mid-Western Regional in Nenagh (€105,000).
In addition to the debt, these hospitals have seen their funding cut by a combined €48.94m between 2011 and this year.
The cuts and falling revenue have led to bed closures, longer waiting times for sick patients, staff posts left unfilled, and cuts in agency staff and overtime.
Between Jun 2011 and Jun 2012, 17 of the 18 hospitals had a gross income from patients, insurers, car parks, and other areas of €162.2m. However, with the exception of South Tipperary General, €67.09m was outstanding by the end of June this year.
The figures come at a time when Dr Reilly faces growing pressure over €130m in cutbacks.
Dr Reilly and new HSE director general Tony O’Brien are expected to announce cuts to regional hospitals this week.
By the end of June, hospitals across Ireland accounted for €151m of the HSE’s then €298.2m overspend, the highest of any part of the health service.
Without cutbacks, the HSE will be €500m in the red by December, and faces having to cut another €850m in 2013.
* Read more:
Ailing hospitals on life support
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