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14/08/2018
HSE Criticised For 'Huge Sums Of Money' Spent On Taxis
Sinn Féin have raised concerns after it was revealed that Health Service Executive (HSE) spent a "huge sum of money" on taxis.
Party Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly TD said that money spent on taxis underlines two things; the need for greater value for money audits on the administrative side of the HSE and pressing need for an Electronic Health Records (eHealth) system.
Deputy O'Reilly said: "Oftentimes, there's legitimate spending by the HSE on taxis for transporting patients between health facilities or home.
"However, it is known that significant sums of money are being spent transferring blood specimens, as well as transferring paper records and files between hospitals because of the lack of an Electronic Health Records (eHealth) system for patient records.
"The rollout of eHealth would guarantee more efficiency, save money, improve patient outcomes, and help doctors and nurses by timely access to patient files. Yet, five years after the eHealth strategy was launched, there has been no determination from the government to roll it out any way urgently.
"Instead, Fine Gael would prefer to see the HSE spending €152.3m on taxis, often for transferring paper folders up and down the country.
"This government talks a lot about value for money, but there are no value for money audits being carried out on this huge spend."
(MH/CM)
Party Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly TD said that money spent on taxis underlines two things; the need for greater value for money audits on the administrative side of the HSE and pressing need for an Electronic Health Records (eHealth) system.
Deputy O'Reilly said: "Oftentimes, there's legitimate spending by the HSE on taxis for transporting patients between health facilities or home.
"However, it is known that significant sums of money are being spent transferring blood specimens, as well as transferring paper records and files between hospitals because of the lack of an Electronic Health Records (eHealth) system for patient records.
"The rollout of eHealth would guarantee more efficiency, save money, improve patient outcomes, and help doctors and nurses by timely access to patient files. Yet, five years after the eHealth strategy was launched, there has been no determination from the government to roll it out any way urgently.
"Instead, Fine Gael would prefer to see the HSE spending €152.3m on taxis, often for transferring paper folders up and down the country.
"This government talks a lot about value for money, but there are no value for money audits being carried out on this huge spend."
(MH/CM)
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
