Published: Friday, 19th February, 2010 6:00pm

Staff numbers set to drop in local HSE area

by Tadhg Carey

The Dublin Mid Leinster (DML) Health Services Executive, which includes the Offaly area, is earmarking savings of over €70m this year.

The DML area - which includes the former Midland Health Board area of Westmeath, Longford and Offaly - has a budget of €2.893 billion for 2010.

Although no breakdown on the efficiencies and cuts for the DML region were given at the meeting in Tullamore, the HSE Dublin Mid-Leisnter said it would target a reduction in staff numbers in 2010, partly through an incentivised scheme for early retirement. It would manage staff attendance through the creation of specific targets.

Meanwhile, national figures provided by the HSE give an indication of the scale of the challenge.

Nationally, the HSE spent €14.738 billion for 2009 and is aiming to keep within a budget of €14.069 billion in 2010 - a reduction of €668m.

The national figures show the staff will be bearing the brunt of the cost cutting, with plans to save €645,559 million in payroll costs over the course of the year.

Other savings anticipated are to come from a reduction in drug costs - which are to cost the service €144m less this year; and from "economies" and value for money practices.

Efficiencies and value for money are to be sought in areas such as travel and subsistence, legal costs, consultancy, advertising, procurement, drug prescribing and by targeting the absenteeism rate of 3.5 per cent, reducing overtime and agency costs, and reducing the average length of stay for hospital patients.

Gerry O'Dwyer, the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Regional Director of Operations, speaking at a regional health forum meeting in Tullamore on Tuesday, pointed to a number of service developments during 2010.

He said a consultant endocrinologist had been appointed at Tullamore as well as an additional A & E consultant and geriatrician.

A consultant rheumantologist was also appointed at Tullamore wand was providing a regional service.

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