While politicians give themselves raises to the tune of thousands of euro, the welfare of the normal folk is once again being targeted for termination.
It was reported earlier this week that the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group was considering a drastic reduction of its €100,000 budget used to pay for taxis to centres in St Luke’s, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals.
After a savage backlash, the organisation is now backtracking and saying that the budget is being ‘reviewed’, rather than ‘cut.’
A statement reads “A key element of this process is an assessment of overall hospital pay and costs, to include cost containment measures, as appropriate. Financial constraints remain an issue across all Hospital Groups with ongoing cost containment measures vital to ensuring that the delivery of high-quality, safe patient care and essential treatment services are prioritised.”
“Private taxis to and from the home for a small number of patients is one part of the overall transport services provided by SLRON, which also encompasses coach services from outside of Dublin to the SLRON, mini-bus services within Dublin and the use of ambulances to transport patients to and from treatment services and to their homes.”
“While some aspects of the use of private taxi services are under review, it is but one option to reduce costs currently under consideration.”
“No final decision has yet been made on this issue.”