HSE seeks tenders for private hospitals on public sites
The Health Service Executive has begun inviting tenders for the construction of private health facilities in the grounds of six public hospitals across the country.
The move is part of Minister for Health Mary Harney's controversial "co-location" scheme, which is designed to free up beds in public hospitals.
Critics say it will only serve to exacerbate the two-tier nature of Ireland's health system, with people offered superior treatment if they can afford to pay for it.
The first six of the new private facilities are planned for the regional hospitals in Waterford and Limerick, as well as Sligo General Hospital, Cork University Hospital and St James's and Beaumont in Dublin.
Two additional sites in Blanchardstown and Tallaght in Dublin have also been earmarked for similar developments, but the projects are not going out to tender currently.
