Cuts put hundreds of health board jobs at risk

HUNDREDS of jobs are at risk as health boards struggle to cope with Government spending cutbacks, it emerged last night.

A directive from the Department of Health to contain costs and freeze new posts means many boards face the stark choice of cutting jobs or clocking up huge debts.

The Western Health Board yesterday said it must lay off 200 temporary workers to reach Department targets but other health boards who are also in a dire financial state face similar tough decisions.