Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

In Dublin there are three such hospitals. More than €300 million is being spent on the budgets of Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght hospitals. If they were to co-ordinate and act as one in the provision of services, savings could be made without affecting service levels. That is the approach being taken. Under the new consultants' contract, there is a proposal to have a single clinical director for the three hospitals to co-ordinate services and work with professionals within them. The patient, therefore, would not be affected and savings of up to €20 million could be made if there was greater co-ordination between hospitals. That is the approach that must be taken.

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