Consultants cited for one third of €50 million over-run

A THIRD of the massive €50 million budget over-run for health services in the HSE West area could be recouped from private health insurers. A whopping €18.8 million is owed to Galway's University Hospitals alone and €6.5 million is outstanding for 12 months or longer. The HSE West says in its region €13 million is owed by private firms for more than a year. [private] Management have told councillors and trade union representatives that the exorbitant amount of money needs to be recouped if the HSE West is to come in on budget this year. 'If they managed to get those funds it would alleviate a lot of the problem,' explained Noreen Muldoon of the INMO. The millions owed have incensed Labour Galway East TD Colm Keaveney who has questioned the HSE's decision to write off part of the monies owed. 'It seems to me that the HSE isn't pursuing some of this money any more and we need to know why.' Deputy Keaveney blamed consultants' tardiness in filling out the necessary paperwork as a reason for the private insurance companies not to pay over the monies owed. 'We understood that punitive action would be taken against consultants at UGH who had breached their contracts in terms of treating too many private patients but we don't know if this has been followed through. 'It's a mystery as to why the same mistakes are being made year on year. I understand that the HSE has thrown every resource available at the consultants to get them to comply but it simply hasn't happened,' added an irate Deputy. He is calling for top management within the HSE West to be brought before a Dáil committee to explain why there are millions of euro owed to the public health provider from private companies whose patients have already been treated. 'It's a mystery why these consultants aren't fulfilling their obligations. They are putting vital health services at risk in the region,' he added. Galway Co Cllr Mary Hoade is baffled by the situation. She believes that it is a small minority of consultants who are responsible. 'It seems that consultants aren't signing the necessary paperwork. You'd think they could see for themselves how crucial it is that every penny is pulled in,' she remarked. Meanwhile, Health Minister James Reilly says that hospital consultants who are the worst offenders for seeing too many private patients are being pursued and more would be followed in the future. He said their action was not fair to their colleagues or to the public. [/private]