HSE stops all surgery at hospital in Navan

The HSE has announced that all acute and emergency surgery will cease at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan with immediate effect.

The Emergency Department will remain open on a 24-hour basis, but patients who present requiring surgery will be transferred to another hospital in the Dublin North East region.

The HSE said it has taken the decision in the interests of providing high quality service to patients.

But Tony Fitzpatrick of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said the decision "effectively shuts down the hospital and puts over 200 nursing jobs on the line".