CUH loses 24 beds in cutback drive

One of the country’s largest hospitals — which is already facing chronic overcrowding — has lost 24 surgical beds as part of plans to “improve efficiency” in the system.

Under the HSE South regional service plan, Cork University Hospital yesterday lost the inpatient beds as part of the cutbacks drive.

The move has been defended as a way to reduce costs while also increasing the number of day patients seen in all facilities.