THE HSE is spending in the region of €35,000 a week on taxis transporting dialysis patients to and from their treatment in GUH, the Regional Health Forum was told this week.
In 2020, €1,237,015 was spent; in 2021, €1,644,065; in 2022, €2,065,064; in 2023, €2,063,717; and in 2024, €2,244,081.
This represents a total of €9.3million over the past five years, according to the figures requested by Galway City councillor Shane Forde.
The increase in the cost has been attributed to the rise in demand and the rise in global fuel costs.
“The demand for the service has increased,” said Anne Cosgrove, Integrated Health Area Manager, “Our dialysis units have been working at capacity. The costs and fuel costs have gone up and the costs associated with transport,” she said, adding that the providers of the service are procured publicly.
She added that the contract for the taxi service is out for tender at the moment.
“The reason we tender so frequently is to ensure we get the most competitive rate,” she concluded.
