Hospitals across the Midlands paid debt collectors to collect unpaid hospital fees last year.
Over €56,000 in outsourced payments were made to debt collectors last year by the HSE to collect unpaid hospital fees across the Midlands.
New figures released on the service's financial portal shows Mullingar General Hospital paid the most in the region in the year to November, with over €24,000 paid out.
Tullamore General Hospital follows with €17,600 euro and Portlaoise Hospital paying €14,300.
It comes as the HSE is being asked to explain why the numbers of patients being chased up for these fees is not being made public.
Cork University Hospital paid the highest amount nationally, with a total of €70,000 in payments.
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