THE HEALTH Service Executive has warned that plans it has drawn up to correct a projected €90 million overspend in the western region “will affect” some patients.
It said HSE West had to “live within the budget we have been allocated” and that local managers were working with their teams to finalise break-even plans.
“We anticipate that these budget plans will affect some patients and clients,” HSE West said in a statement yesterday.
HSE West said, however, that speculation suggesting it had decided to remove oncology services from Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, was incorrect.
“No decision has been made to remove the oncology service from Portiuncula Hospital.”
Patients from east Galway and nearby midland counties attend the hospital for chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Some 2,000 people protested at Portiuncula Hospital last week, warning that any possible downgrading of services there could result in the loss of lives.
East Galway Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt has said if cutbacks designed to recoup the deficit in funding for services in the west impacted on Portiuncula, he would walk away from politics.
The Health Service Executive said all options were being considered to ensure that the budget at Portiuncula Hospital was not overspent.
