By Maura Fay
maura.fay@meathpost.com

The HSE has slashed the budget of Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan by over
a €1m for failing to meet efficiency targets.

The hospital’s budget cut are part of a scheme which aims to either
reward or punish hospitals based on their efficiency levels, known as
“casemix”.

According to the Department of Health “Casemix contributes towards
equity, efficiency and transparency by classifying and categorising
hospital thoroughput.”

The €1m budget cut is based on 2006 financial results and activity
from June 2006 to June 2007. Spokesperson for the HSE, Rosaleen Harlin
said: “The orthopaedic theatres at Our Lady’s Hospital Navan were
closed for refurbishment for a number of weeks during this period.
This contributed to a reduction in activity.”

Ms Harlin said that casemix adjustments are not negotiable and are
based on the performance of comparable size hospitals. She added that
the “adjustment creates an opportunity to improve efficiency by
increasing throughtput and containing costs”.