Official report recommends layoffs and curtailing hospital services in west

A new report is recommending a raft of cost saving measures across the HSE western region in a bid to plug an €80m deficit.

The report, by consultants Mott and Mc Donald and seen by the Irish Times, is recommending massive changes in the HSE West, including curtailing some hospital services.

It is recommending that 1,000 staff on temporary contracts should be let go over the coming months, in a bid to save €15-20m.

The consultants also believe other cost-saving measures should be introduced, like curtailing some hospital services.

It is also proposing a review of home help and homecare services. It estimates that €5-7m could be saved in this area.

The HSE West which spans from Donegal down to Limerick is facing a deficit of €80m.

The consultants who compiled this report believe these measures will only go some way towards plugging the financial deficit.