Fears grow for health cuts as budget over-run at HSE revealed

Further health cuts could be on the way because of a budget over-run at the HSE.

Yesterday, the Executive revealed a deficit of up to €100m on the medical card and drug schemes - as well as a deficit of over €100m in direct services.

The HSE also admitted that €60m of it's budget for the year will not now materialise because of delays in the introduction of health insurance legislation.

Charles Normand is the Edward Kennedy Professor of Health Policy and Management at Trinity College Dublin - he said whilst some efficiencies have been found in the health service, a more radical approach is needed.

"We do a lot of things in hospitals that could perfectly well be done in primary care," he said.

"But for most people it is cheaper for them to go to the hospital than to see their GP

"The changes that are needed next if we are going to get greater efficiencies into the system will be much more radical."