Downgrading of Ennis Hospital 'would put lives at risk'

Minister for Health Mary Harney is being accused of putting lives at risk through plans to downgrade Ireland's smaller hospitals.

Ms Harney is due to meet representatives of Ennis Hospital today to discuss proposals to strip the hospital of its A&E unit and acute care services.

The hospital claims the Government's plan will lead to 20 unavoidable deaths every year in Co Clare.

It says almost half of people in the county would have to travel one hour to Limerick to access hospital services.