Hospital forced to cancel surgery

ONE of the country’s largest hospitals was forced to cancel all elective surgery today because of serious overcrowding problems in its accident and emergency department.

Labour’s deputy leader, Liz McManus, said yesterday’s revelation that Beaumont Hospital in Dublin was dealing with over 40 patients on chairs and trolleys was further shocking evidence of the effects of health cutbacks on ordinary people.

The hospital was even forced to re-open some of the 40 beds that were closed last May due to cutbacks when the chronic overcrowding situation worsened over the weekend.