Reilly: Hospital reorganisation will bring many advantages

The Minister for Health James Reilly has said no acute hospitals will close as a result of a new grouping system.

A report from the Hospital Group Strategic Board, chaired by Professor John Higgins, will be brought to Cabinet shortly before its publication.

It is understood the report recommends the establishment of six hospital groups around the country and will result in the biggest reorganisation of hospitals in the history of the State.

Speaking at a health conference in Dublin, Minister James Reilly said the report will be brought to Cabinet shortly along with a second document on small hospitals.

Dr Reilly said: "The advantages of grouping are myriad.

"Not alone does it ensure that we will be able to recruit doctors to a group, and therefore look after man-hour issues in smaller hospitals which find it more difficult to recruit doctors, but from a patient perspective there is going to be much more clearer lines of service.

"There will be much more services delivered locally."