Hospital consultants have said the numbers of patients on waiting lists for treatment is now growing by about 7,000 per month. also forecast that this year will be the worst on record for patients requiring admission having to wait on trolleys.
“The quality and safety of patient care is deteriorating further due to persistent under-investment.”IHCA secretary generalsaid his organisation wanted the Government in the forthcoming budget to increase funding for acute hospitals and mental health services to maintain existing services as well as to deal with unmet and increasing demand.
He opposed proposals put forward in a recent official report given to the Minster for Health that while pay parity should be introduced for consultants appointed in future, they should in return see only public patients in public hospitals.