Grealish’s threat to pull plug over health cuts

Date Published: 11-Aug-2010

A Galway TD has threatened to bring down the Government over the next wave of punitive health cuts which experts have warned will save money at the expense of patients’ lives.

Independent Deputy Noel Grealish has told the Taoiseach that he is prepared to augur a General Election by withdrawing his support for the Government over a series of proposed cutbacks contained in a report obtained by the Connacht Tribune.

The document compiled by Scottish accountants Mott McDonald outlines a programme of cost-saving measures as the HSE West attempts to claw back a budget deficit that could grow to €107m by the end of the year.

The closure of a hospital in the region, the termination of employment for 1,000 frontline staff and the cessation of all elective surgery in the West for a specific period are among the controversial recommendations contained in the report.

Between €44m and €55m would be slashed from the HSE budget for the region in the next six months under the plan outlined in the report. Savings of €95m have been identified for next year.

See full report in this week’s Connacht Tribune.