HSE: Hospital facing fines for excessive waiting times

The head of the HSE's Special Delivery Unit, Tony O'Brien, has said an unnamed hospital is facing significant fines for keeping a number of patients waiting for treatment for more than a year.

The hospital could be fined the cost of treating the patient elsewhere plus a 100% premium.

If the patient cannot be moved, a penalty of €25,000 a month will be imposed per patient instead.

Speaking ahead of his address at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's annual conference in Killarney, Mr O'Brien said they are currently in talks with the hospital in question.