Irish development plans "safe" despite efficiency drive:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Irish government has given reassurances that a package of measures aimed at improving the efficiency of its health service will not affect current development plans, after announcing yesterday (July 17) that it would reduce by 800 the planned 6,000 increase in healthcare workers in 2002. The measure will have "minimal impact" on patient services, says the government, following a 50% increase in healthcare workforce since 1997 to over 90,000. Other measures include increases from August 1 in the statutory inpatient charge by E3 ($3) to E36 per overnight or day case to a maximum of E360 in any year, and in the cost of private and semi-private accommodation.