The Director of HSE West, Dr Seán Conroy, yesterday defended a €30 million overspend this year in operating the region’s hospitals, saying patients do not have heart attacks or have babies according to budget.Dr Conroy was speaking at a meeting of the HSE West hospitals’ committee where members were told the cost overrun in the western hospital group was €22 million and in the midwest hospital group was €8 million to the end of July. According to today’s Irish Times newspaper, Senior HSE officials John Doyle and Alan Moran confirmed to members that bed closures would take place in the hospital network that serves an area stretching from Limerick to Donegal.
Speaking on the €22.7 million overspend to €403 million in the western hospital group, Mr Moran said the HSE would not be able to break even in the area by the end of the year, but increased efficiencies, bed closures and staff reductions would cut the deficit.
