The head of the HSE says treating less people in hospitals does not equate to cutbacks in services.

Brendan Drumm’s appearing before an Oireachtas committee to discuss the HSE’s service plan for 2010 – with cuts of €660 million in funding.

He says its a hugely demanding service plan, but the organisation is up for the challenge.

Professor Drumm says more people will be treated in the community and in day procedures.

“A high hospital admission rate for some reason has in the past been considered a measure of performance – I would suggest it is exactly the opposite” he said.

“A high hospital admission rate is actually a measure of how ineffective a performance is”.

“Given the worry and inconvenience hospitalisation can create for patients and their families, we need to continue to lower admission rates – and only to admit where there is no alternative” he added.