€5m gap in funds puts patients’ care at risk

Patients at Kerry General Hospital face serious “clinical risks” to their care if the HSE fails to provide an extra €5m in funding this year.

The head of the hospital made the claim amid concerns about an activity-based funding system brought in by the HSE to ensure hospitals are receiving the resources they need.

In response to a Dáil question by local Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil on whether this year’s funding for the hospital is “unrealistic”, KGH general manager Maria Godley said the fears are shared by hospital officials.