IMO seeks safeguards in Govt's co-location plans

The Irish Medical Organisation is warning that the Government's plan to allow private hospitals on the grounds of public ones must be accompanied by safeguards for the public facilities and their patients.

In a new policy statement, the IMO says it welcomes plans to increase acute hospital capacity, but there must be continued investment in public hospitals.

It says the State should acquire part ownership of any private hospitals developed on sites that are already state-owned.

The organisation also wants to see profits capped, with the extra revenue being pumped back into public healthcare.

It is recommending a single waiting list for public and private patients, where people are prioritised on the basis of need rather than wealth.