Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Photo: Frank McGrath
A reduction in the number of drugs prescribed for medical card holders and curbs on “over-referral” of patients for scans and tests by GPs are among the areas targeted by the HSE this year in a drive for €633m in savings .
The squeeze will impact various areas of the health service while the plan also aims to generate more productivity by getting more staff – including hospital consultants – working weekends and evenings.
