Details Emerge Of Warnings Over Proposed Health Cuts

Details emerge of warnings over proposed health cuts

Details have emerged of civil servant warnings over proposed cutbacks in the health service. A submission from the Department of Health says that if they're to meet savings targets of 213 million euro next year, more beds would have to close and the number of surgeries being carried out would be reduced. And if even deeper cuts were to be imposed, 'draconian' measures that could seriously compromise patient safety might have to be taken, like cutting opening hours at Emergency Departments. Industrial Correspondent with the Irish Times Martin Wall had the story this morning. He has outlined some of the hospitals that would be affected by the bed closures. "THe big Dublin hospitals - the Mater, Beaumont, Blanchardstown, Tallaght, St James's, St Vincent's - they would all lose about 20 beds; Cork University Hospital lose 20 beds" he said. "Outside of Dublin - Waterford, Limerick, Dundalk, Cavan, Navan, etc - would lose 10". "It also...suggests that to live within a 216 million euro cut, we would have to curtail high-tech operations". "It talks about 2,400 operations not going ahead" he added. Meanwhile it has emerged Wexford cabinet Minister Brendan Howlin lobbied HSE top brass over services at Wexford General Hospital. Minister Howlin wrote to the Head of the HSE Tony O'Brien saying that he had concerns about the lack of appropriate and ample staff at Wexford maternity and A and E units. In response the HSE said the staffing requirement of the units will be considered with submissions from other hospitals in line with national priorities.