No rescue package for cash crisis hospitals

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy has warned that there is no new money to bail out hospitals faced with the prospect of making major cuts.

Revised spending plans for the year ahead, published yesterday, contain no new increases for health, while major acute hospitals are examining a number of drastic cost-cutting measures.

Meanwhile, nurses have warned that they will take industrial action if cuts impact on their ability to deliver top-class care to patients.