Consultants: HSE is 'dysfunctional'

The HSE has been described by hospital consultants as "dysfunctional and disconnected from frontline staff".

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association, which represents almost 2,000 consultants around the country, is holding its annual conference in Adare.

It is calling on the Government not to add to cuts in health spending in the forthcoming Budget, as any cuts would only deepen the crisis in the sector.

In addressing the annual conference in Limerick, IHCA President Margo Wrigley said that major changes are needed.

Dr Wrigley said the HSE is "an administrative mess".

Earlier, the consultants said they are going to put pressure on the HSE to increase funding for frontline services.