Harsh choices loom on 2010 health cuts

The prospect of massive health service cutbacks was raised again yesterday, with Health Minister Mary Harney warning that if 6,000 HSE job cuts are not made, health staff could face salary reductions.

The Minister indicated that salary cuts may have to be looked at if €400 million in savings from cutting staff numbers in line with the 'Bord Snip' report recommendations are not made.

The Department of Health has already asked the HSE to look at how it can make €800 million in savings next year.

However, the HSE has indicated that it will not be able to make cuts of this nature without impacting on patient care.

The HSE is already making savings of around €600 million this year, including €530 million in "value for money"  efficiency savings.

The €800 million in cut planned for next year are not expected to include "value for money" budgetary savings already identified.

The Bord Snip report identified a number of areas where savings could be made in the health service, totalling €1,230 million.

These included changes in the basic working week for health staff that would save on overtime costs; other changes in working practices including  scrapping demarcation lines for some duties; the abolition of some allowances; and compulsory redeployment of staff.

it also includes a range of savings measures in other areas, such as a prescription charge for medical card patients and changing medical card eligibility criteria.

Bord Snip wanted to see a reduction of at least 6,000 in health service staff through redeployment and redundancy measures.

The HSE says it is unlikely it will be able to achieve next year's projected savings without legislative and policy changes being made.

Health unions have already warned that they will take industrial action if any attempt is made to cut health service staff pay.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), reiterated its "outright opposition" to any attempt, by Government or the HSE, to reduce the pay and allowances currently paid to nurses and midwives.

The INO said it would take industrial action if there was any attempt to impose pay cuts on its members.

[Posted: Tue 25/08/2009]