HSE plan to utilise private hospitals could be triggered within days

Ministers discuss early vaccination of the country’s 60,000 Leaving Cert students, while physiotherapists and occupational therapists ‘stand ready’ to help as Covid-19 vaccinators

Under the plan to utilise private hospital capacity, the HSE will pay for access on a per bed basis based on the amount ordinarily paid by private health insurers

The HSE plan to take emergency control of up to 30 per cent of private hospital capacity could be triggered later this week, according to the terms of a new contract seen by the Business Post.

The contract, which can be activated if certain surge trigger points are met, has been agreed with 16 private hospitals so far, as the health system braces this week for the worst Covid-19 caseload since the beginning of the ...