Anger as HSE closes 65 hospital beds

THE HSE has come under fire over the closure of 65 public residential beds across a number of health facilities in the mid-west.

The HSE has made the cuts in response to an over-spend of €20 million in the region for the first six months of this year.

Kathleen Lynch, Minister for State at the Department of Health, said the closures — in mainly short-stay beds — will be at Camillus Hospital, Co Limerick (15); St Ita’s Hospital, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, (17); Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co Tipperary, (22); Dean Maxwell Home, Roscrea, Co Tipperary (6) and Raheen Community Hospital (5), Co Clare.