Consultant told ‘make do’ with hospital budget

A TOP consultant who has warned of major cutbacks at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital has been told by Finance Minister Michael Noonan there is no more money and the hospital will have to make do with it’s allocated budget.

Consultant Paul Burke, who is in charge of the centralisation of all major emergency department &services to Limerick from Nenagh and Ennis in a letter to Mr Noonan, outlined ongoing difficulties at the Mid-Western Regional.

He stated: “Our only options to reduce spending are to reduce elective surgical activity, close operating theatres, reduce drug costs and possibly close beds.”