Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The four CEOs make it very clear that the situation is as a result of the composite impact of a succession of five budgets, and there is no getting away from that fact. Their language shows they are at breaking point and if there are further cuts in the national service plan for 2014, the consequences will be dire. Patient safety will suffer. That is why they have taken the very bold, brave and welcome step of outlining the factual situation for all to note and not just the HSE, the Department of Health and the Minister and his colleagues.

Will the Minister recognise that any further cuts across the hospital network will have serious consequences for citizens? I appeal to him to take heed of the CEOs appeal, which is what it is. They are saying to him that they cannot sustain any further cuts. It is reasonable that the Minister should respond because although he has lauded the advances made in cancer care provision on many occasions, make no mistake about it, even cancer patients are now experiencing unacceptable delays in access to treatment. The situation has become that grave.

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