Hospitals report to make radical recommendations

A major new report on the staffing of Irish hospitals due out today will recommend radical changes in the operation of hospitals nationwide.

The Hanley report will recommend that restructured hospitals should be run round 12 large centres.

It is also expected to spark major negotiations between the Department of Health and the Irish Hospital Consultants Association.

The report recommends that more hospital consultants should be hired and work round the clock instead of junior doctors.

It also suggests some hospitals should give a wider range of services while downgrading other hospitals to tackle minor injuries and doing elective daycare procedures.