Cash-only clinics under scrutiny

Allegations of consultants demanding cash-only payments at private clinics have triggered a formal investigation by the HSE. Ordered by the Health Minister, the probe will examine how consultants manage private patient fees—amid renewed concerns over misconduct and the potential misuse of public funds. The controversy follows fallout from a 2021 report into Children’s Health Ireland, which raised red flags about irregular practices at weekend clinics. For private healthcare leaders, this is a timely reminder that transparency in payment systems is not just regulatory—it’s reputational.

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