Harney urged to clarify which hospitals will lose services

The Health Services Action Group (HSAG) has called on the Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to clarify which hospitals will lose acute services under the proposed Hanly reforms.

Reports yesterday said a discussion paper on the implementation of the reforms had identified up to 12 hospitals that would be unable to provide acute services once the changes are introduced.

The reports said these hospitals would not have the staff levels to provide such services.

The HSAG said today that this meant up to 12 hospitals could lose maternity services and accident and emergency units and it urged Ms Harney to clarify which hospitals would be affected.

It also claimed that staffing and workloads were being used as excuses to implement the Hanly reforms by stealth in the face of widespread opposition.