Bed numbers drop by 15% at top hospital

THE number of beds available at one of the country’s main hospitals has dropped steadily over the last three years, despite Government promises to boost bed numbers.

Average bed numbers at the Mater Hospital in Dublin have declined by 15% since 2001 - the year when the National Health Strategy was launched.

The National Health Strategy, published by the Minister for Health Micheál Martin, included a commitment to provide an additional 3,000 hospital beds, the Labour Party said last night.