Hospital consultants warn against health cuts

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association is calling on the Government not to reduce health sector funding in the Budget.

The IHCA has said frontline services are already under strain following a cut of more than €1bn in health spending this year.

In its pre-Budget submission, the association said the Government must reverse its plans to make further cutbacks "in the interest of patient safety".

The IHCA President, Dr Margo Wrigley, said the reductions in acute hospital and mental health services are creating a crisis.

Dr Wrigley said: "It's having a very devastating affect in terms of theatres closing, out-patient clinics being closed over the summer and people spending protracted periods of days on hospital trolleys before they are admitted to acute beds."