THE HEALTH Service Executive budget for north Dublin and counties in the northeast is being cut by more than €120 million this year with staffing being reduced by almost 1,000, according to internal planning documents.
Up to 105 long-term public beds will be closed in HSE Dublin North East as hospital costs are reduced by almost 8 per cent, the service plan for the region states.
One of four HSE regions, HSE Dublin North East covers counties Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and north Dublin.
Two out of 21 residential units in the region – St Joseph’s in Ardee, Co Louth, and the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda – are currently earmarked for closure, but the plan says a decision will only be made after consultation with residents.
In mental health, six inpatient beds are being cut, along with 25 long-stay/rehabilitation beds and 15 high-support places.
In capital expenditure, €60 million is being invested, with the most significant project being the Mater hospital in Dublin.
Despite the reductions in other areas, an additional 200-250 long-term care beds, both public and private, are being provided in Dublin North East.
Stephen Mulvany, HSE’s regional director of operations, states in the report: “We must . . . be realistic about what further efficiencies can be achieved after three years of sustained resource reductions, and so it will not be possible to fully maintain the same level of services in 2012 as in 2011. Where it is necessary to reduce or delay a service, we will seek to prioritise those most in need of our reduced services.”
The HSE’s plans for cuts in the region were raised in the Dáil yesterday by Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who accused the Government of putting patient safety at risk. He said the report made “grim reading”.
“Right across all services from mental health to older people to hospital services, the northeast region will see one cut heaped on top of another. And these cuts will be replicated across all regions of this State. This is unsustainable.”
The need to spare emergency departments from cuts that would result in patients waiting on trolleys will place a high burden on other hospital services, the report warns. Cuts affecting clinically urgent cases such as cancer will also be minimised.
The 2012 budget requires a reduction in costs in the region of €120.55 million. With 400 staff expected to retire before the end of February, a further 561 jobs will be cut to reach an overall reduction in staff of 961. Funding for HSE Dublin North East fell by almost €500 million since 2009.