Health bosses warn funding to five hospitals could be cut next week

Five hospitals who refuse to cut their lavish top-ups are facing a 20% cut in funding from next week, health bosses have warned.

The Health Service Executive released a report tonight detailing how just 10 out of the 43 agencies are in compliance with public pay policy despite intense political and public pressure.

In a statement, it named and shamed St Vincent's, St James, Brother of Charity, Brothers of Charity South and St John of Gods as refusing to co-operate with them.

And it warned the under-fire agencies that the HSE will cut 20% of their funding from next week.

The figures 27 of the other hospitals have submitted 88 case studies to hold on to their lavish allowances.

Fine Gael TD Simon Harris said: "The fact that Vincent's remain non compliant is worrying considering their appearance at the Public Accounts Committee last month.

"We need more information on the business cases submitted and what the HSE intends to do for non-compliant agencies."

The report shows that Dr Rhona O'Mahony has made a case to keep her e45,000 top-up.

It also reveals chief executive of Crumlin Hospital Lorcan Birthistle is pledging to keep his e30,000 allowance which he gets on top of his €110,000 salary, bringing his earnings to just over €140,000.

Four of his colleagues are also demanding they hold on to their allowance.

The HSE said: "A number of actions are currently underway to ensure that all remuneration of pay and allowances in Section 38 agencies is brought into line with Government Pay Policy.

“In some cases allowances have been ceased and in other cases the agencies have made a business case for the allowance to be retained.”

The health bosses have now appointed an internal Review Panel of Senior Management to examine each business case.

The HSE added: “Where the Review Panel is satisfied that there are legitimate reasons for the continuation of an allowance, business cases will be submitted to the Department of Health which will liaise as appropriate with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform prior to the consideration of any allowance in line with public pay policy.”

The five agencies that are deemed non-compliant as business cases have not yet been received and the people involved continue to pocket the allowance.

The HSE has written to them warning they will face funding cuts of up to 20% from 21 February 2014 until they provide confirmation that they are in line with public health sector pay policy 
The health bosses promised this slash in public money would not have a direct impact on patients.

It said: “It is important to note that this reduction in cash funding is not a budget cut and therefore should, under no circumstances, impact on the provision of services to patients or clients.”

The report says Cheeverstown House, Cork Universiity Dental Hospital, KARE, Mercy University Hospital, Incorporated Orthopadeic Hospital, St John’s Hospital in Limerick and St Patrick’s Hospital in Kilkenny, St Vincent’s in Fairview, Sunbeam House and the Childrens Sunshine Home are the only ones in line with pay policy.

Our Lady’s Hospice has submitted eight business cases to keep top-ups as has the Rotunda Hospital.

It also mentions the Central Remedial Clinic but says it is being dealt with separately. 

Top-ups are extra cash paid from private sources on top of their public salaries.

SOURCE-IRISH MIRROR