Irish Patients Association has core funding axed

The Irish Patients Association has had its core funding axed by the HSE on the basis that it carries out only “limited” advocacy work in the health system. The HSE confirmed last night that the association’s €117,000 annual funding would cease at the end of March but claimed the organisation had access to private funding.

It said the association was told last year it should seek alternative funding.

A spokeswoman said the health budget had been reduced by over €1.2 billion over the past three years.

“In addressing these financial challenges, the HSE has targeted savings on areas that do not directly impact client/patient services, with a view to protecting essential frontline services.”

Funding is being continued for Patient Focus and the development of the Patient Safety Champions Network.

The association, which has been funded since 2004, described the decision as “grossly unfair”. The decision to choose which patient groups to fund was neither “transparent nor negotiable”.