Beaumont Hospital has apologised following scrutiny of procurement and governance practices after details emerged regarding payments made to an external radiology provider without a formal public procurement process.

Reported by Irish Medical Times, the issue was discussed during a Public Accounts Committee hearing examining matters identified in the hospital’s 2024 financial accounts.

During the hearing, Beaumont Hospital CEO Anne Coyle said €6.2 million had been paid between 2019 and 2025 to a radiology company providing CT scans, ultrasound and mammography services. The payments were made without the work being tendered through a public procurement process.

According to the hospital, the arrangement originated in 2019 under a derogation linked to patient demand and service requirements. The hospital stated that it was subsequently understood the same derogation remained applicable as the arrangement continued. Annual expenditure increased over the period, reaching €1.1 million in 2025.

The Public Accounts Committee also heard concerns relating to governance declarations associated with the provider. Previous findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General indicated that among hospital staff listed as directors of the company, only a limited number had formally declared their interests.

Addressing the committee, Coyle issued an apology and said the hospital had identified the issues during the 2025 audit process and disclosed them accordingly. She stated that the organisation remains committed to responsible management of public and donated funding and to strengthening accountability measures.

The hospital also confirmed that radiology services underwent a public procurement process last month. Following that exercise, the provider was selected as part of a broader framework arrangement involving multiple suppliers.

The developments come amid continued attention on procurement governance across publicly funded healthcare organisations, with oversight bodies placing increasing emphasis on transparent sourcing processes, contract management and conflict-of-interest controls to support accountability and service continuity.