Hospitals to close beds due to budget deficit

Dublin's five main training hospitals - the Mater, Beaumont, St Vincent's, St James's and Tallaght - are expected to announce further bed closures today due to a €100m budget deficit.

The chief executives of the five hospitals are due to issue a statement saying they need to close 250 beds, reduce surgical and medical procedures by 14,000 and lay off temporary staff in an effort to stay within budget.