IHCA critical of capital spending cut

Hospital consultants have criticised the 2005 Estimates, accusing the Government of cutting funding for capital projects in hospitals.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association assistant general secretary Donal Duffy said the Health Estimate for 2005 shows a reduction of nearly €40m in the capital allocation for building, equipping and furnishing hospitals and other health facilities – down from €441m. To €402m.

"Hopefully, this is an area which will be further addressed on Budget day," he said.

Mr Duffy said the 45% increase in funding for the National Treatment Purchase Fund – from €44m to €64m – did represent a direct boost to patient care.

But it was also critical of the reduction in the allocation to the State Claims Agency in respect of clinical negligence cases from €12m to €7m.

"This is simply postponing the inevitable as the State Claims Agency will have to pay out for these cases as they are settled."