Fining hospitals

Sir, – The introduction of a €10,000 fine by the Minister of Health ("Hospitals face €10,000 fine over trolley rule breach", November 30th) reminds me that managers will always select the easy options that do not work before selecting the difficult options that do work. If overcrowding in hospital emergency departments is one symptom of a problem in the provision of healthcare services then we should define the problem before reaching for the stick solution. – Yours, etc,

DERMOT O’ROURKE,

Lucan, Dublin 20.

Sir, – The fines for hospitals can only be paid by reducing the spending on treating patients, which will result in a worsening of the service provided. If overcrowding can be reduced by better use of resources, that is a management problem. How is that resolved by reducing spending on patients? – Yours, etc,

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CYRIL MCNAMEE

Greystones,

Co Wicklow.

Sir, – Fining hospitals? Really? That reminds me that “heads will roll”. No, wait, that was the last soundbite from the Minister for Health. – Yours, etc,

PATRICIA O’RIORDAN,

Dublin 8.