HSE West over 26 million euro over budget after first quarter

There are fears of widespread bed closures after the HSE West forum was told this month that acute hospitals in the region are still in a difficult financial position.
A senior official with the HSE has indicated that net expenditure was just over €26 million overbudget by the end of March.
Over €20 million of that was within the acute hospital sector, and €5.5 million within the community sector.
As a result of the first quarter figures, the HSE West forum was told cost-containment plans are in place, with “significant seasonal closures” on the cards.