HSE spent €9m on taxis for Merlin Park dialysis patients since 2020
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FM
The HSE has spent over €9m on taxis for dialysis patients attending Merlin Park since 2020.
The matter was raised at a meeting of the HSE Health Forum West this week.
Councillor Shane Forde was the one to raise the issue - though there was no suggestion of anything untoward on behalf of the HSE.
Rather, he wanted to know, what was behind the increase in spending from €1.2m in 2020 to €2.2m in 2024.
Was it increased patient demand, or sharp rises in taxi costs, he asked.
The answer was simple - it's a little bit of both, and the dialysis unit at Merlin Park is now at full capacity.
HSE management added it regularly advertises new contracts for taxi services - to ensure it's always getting a competitive rate.