THE DUBLIN MIDLANDS Hospital Group says that it is not cutting transport services for cancer patients, but says the use of taxi services is under review.

Earlier this week it was reported that the €100,000 fund used to pay for taxis to centres in St Luke’s, Beaumont and St James’s Hospitals would be slashed.

However, the group says that while the service is being reviewed, it may not be cut completely.

The group says that it is currently in the process of financial planning for 2017.

“A key element of this process is an assessment of overall hospital pay and costs, to include cost containment measures, as appropriate. Financial constraints remain an issue across all Hospital Groups with ongoing cost containment measures vital to ensuring that the delivery of high-quality, safe patient care and essential treatment services are prioritised.”

The group says that St Luke’s alone spends over quarter of a million euro in transport

St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network currently spends over €275,000 per annum on patient transport costs.

“Private taxis to and from the home for a small number of patients is one part of the overall transport services provided by SLRON, which also encompasses coach services from outside of Dublin to the SLRON, mini-bus services within Dublin and the use of ambulances to transport patients to and from treatment services and to their homes.

“While some aspects of the use of private taxi services are under review, it is but one option to reduce costs currently under consideration.

“No final decision has yet been made on this issue.”

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