Health cuts threaten jobs and patient care

Health sector cuts will cost jobs and affect patient treatment, waiting lists and the use of consultants, Health Minister Eyðdis Hartmann Niclasen said in a response to a parliamentary question, KVF reports.

The National Hospital faces the largest single cut, with a requirement to save five million kroner. A further 3.5 million kroner will be cut from health insurance payments, while the Health Authority must save 1.5 million kroner. Six other areas face cuts of one million kroner or less.

The National Hospital is expected to lose five or six clinical staff who work directly with patients. Klaksvík Hospital and Suðuroy Hospital are each expected to lose one staff member. Heilsutrygd, the health insurance body, had requested funding for two new general practitioner positions, but the request was rejected.

Changes at the Health Authority will also have staffing consequences. One administrative position at the Ministry of Health and Energy has been cut.

Niclasen said she could not specify how the savings would affect patient treatment, waiting lists or the use of consultants, but expected them to have some impact. Funding is also expected to be withdrawn from patient associations that have arranged climate treatment in Croatia, “A Good Start,” a free group service for women experiencing postpartum depression, and a specialist doctor pool that has allowed specialists to be hired without seeking supplementary funding from parliament.

Tags: healthcare, public spending, Faroe Islands