Patients at Dublin's St Vincent's Hospital say they fear the impact threatened funding cuts will have on their welfare.
The HSE said St Vincent's Healthcare Group could face "significant financial sanctions" if publicly-paid consultants
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St Vincent's has rejected that position and is seeking legal advice.
Patients at St Vincent's Hospital said today that they hoped any funding cuts would have a minimal impact on services.
"What will happen to my doctor? Maybe he'll go private, and won't stay here, and I need him," one said.
"My wife has been a patient here for some weeks now...I would hope (the patients) won't suffer (as a result of) any cuts," said another.