Hospitals face closure under new targets law

Public and private hospitals will be shut if they put patients lives at risk or fail to meet key targets under controversial new licensing plans.

The legislation, which also gives officials the power to impose heavy fines, is set to come into force by the end of next year after a string of crises in the health sector.

The Irish Examiner understands that, under a bill to be brought to cabinet this morning by Health Minister Simon Harris, hospitals will be told they must sign up to a licensing system by the end of 2018.