There was concern expressed this week regarding the implications for A&E departments at private hospitals such as the Galway Clinic if a new VHI deal goes ahead.
The Galway Clinic, Blackrock Clinic, and Beacon Hospitals in Dublin have warned that they may have to shut emergency departments if they are forced to agree to the terms of a new deal demanded by the VHI.
The VHI is looking to cap the amount of money it pays each hospital for insured patients. This will lead to monthly quotas on the numbers of VHI patients a hospital can treat and if this is reached people will have to be turned away.
Management from a number of private hospitals were in talks with VHI yesterday but it was not clear at time of going to press whether an agreement was reached.
