HSE STILL TO SECURE PRIVATE HOSPITAL CAPACITY AMID NPHET WARNING OF POTENTIAL COVID SURGE

The Journal - The HSE is engaged with all of the private hospitals in the country “on two fronts” to try to secure capacity in the event of a Covid surge in the coming months, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said. The takeover of private hospitals at the beginning of the pandemic cost the State €305 million over the space of three months, and talks remain ongoing between the HSE and private hospitals to access private capacity again heading into the winter. The latest news from Donnelly comes after the HSE last week re-issued a tender aimed at securing private hospital capacity for non-Covid care to help the health service cope with the “enduring impact of Covid-19″. Until that procurement process is completed, the Department of Health has temporarily sanctioned spending of up to €25 million for the treatment of public patients in private hospitals. This spending follows over €300 million...>>>