PATIENT BUS SUBSIDY COST HSE €100 PER PATIENT – ON EACH TRIP

THE HSE ended a subsidy for Donegal patients travelling to Dublin hospitals because of the massive costs involved, donegaldaily.com can reveal.

Marley Coaches have been told that it is losing its €100,000-a-year contract.

But figures released to us by the HSE show that an average of just five patients per journey were using the service.

“It worked out that the subsidy per patient per trip was close to €100,” said one HSE source.

“That was not value for money or sustainable in any way shape or form.

“That was why the service was ended.”

Patients complained yesterday about the end of the service with Cllr Patrick McGowan accusing Government ministers of slipping in the cutbacks just before heading off on holidays.