CUH will no longer cover the cost of transporting patients to and from nursing homes.

In an email sent to staff, which was seen by the Evening Echo, all employees were informed by management of the “additional cost-containment measures that must now be implemented”.
Management stated the measures were “regrettable” and that it was “aware of the potential disruption and inconvenience arising from these proposals”. However, “the unprecedented financial situation facing the CUH (and the HSE) leaves us with very little choice”.
Under the heading ‘patient transport’, the email stated that CUH can “no longer cover the cost of transporting patients to and from other hospitals, nursing homes and private residences”.
External agencies should instead make their own arrangements.
“In the event that CUH is required to arrange transport, the cost incurred will be charged to the relevant organisation/individual, plus an administrative fee.”
Staff were told no reimbursements would be made in respect to “staff travel to meetings, courses and other related activity”. Taxis can no longer be used while “the use of contract rail tickets is also suspended”.
The email also outlines the ban on overtime for the rest of the year, “with the exception of rostered overtime in the key front-line departments”.
The email stated: “Any additional overtime worked can only be compensated by time off in lieu and the salaries dept will be unable to process payment in respect of unrostered overtime.”