Video: €619million cut will plunge health services into further crisis

» Mark Moloney

"This spells misery for thousands of older people, many of whom are occupying hospital beds because they can no longer be cared for in their homes."

THE €619million spending cut outlined in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Service Plan for 2014 will plunge public health services into further crisis, says Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Health and Children Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin.

Speaking to An Phoblacht following the publication of the plan on Wednesday morning, he said:

"The health services have already been cut to the bone and the knife is still being wielded. The ongoing recruitment embargo and job cuts will have a seriously damaging effect."

He also expressed concern over the failure to provide any additional funding for new nursing home places, saying: 

"This spells misery for thousands of older people, many of whom are occupying hospital beds because they can no longer be cared for in their homes."

He told An Phoblacht that the Plan is a damning indictment of Minister James Reilly and the Government, and a blueprint for greatly reduced health services.