Outgoing Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly sought approval from his public expenditure colleague Paschal Donohoe to book access to private hospital beds in case of surges in demand at an annual cost of over half a million euro per bed, internal documents show. In a letter dated May 2, 2024, and obtained by The Currency through a freedom of information request, Donnelly requested extended funding from Donohoe for the Health Service Executive (HSE)’s Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Framework.  “Access to private hospital bed capacity in 2023 was necessary to mitigate pressures in the system,” Donnelly wrote. “I supported the…

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