Cuts to impact surgery waiting lists

Waiting lists for specialist treatment and surgery are about to get longer at one of the country’s largest regional hospitals.

With over €6m in cuts and the departure of up to 70 nurses by next month, Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH) is facing the closure of three of its eight operating theatres along with a surgical ward and a number of inpatient and outpatient beds.

The cuts being implemented by the HSE exacerbate the continuing moratorium on staff recruitment.