Mater announces bed closures and service reductions
27/03/2003 - 14:07:16The Mater Hospital in Dublin has closed 20% of its beds and cut services in a bid to reduce costs.
A hospital spokesperson said it was forced to take the action due to a budgetary shortfall of €18m.
The hospital needed €167m this year just to maintain the level of services provided in 2002, but was allocated €155m.
This has forced it to reduce the number of patient admissions by 3,200 to stay within budget.
The cutbacks will lead to the closure of 115 beds by May 1, reductions in overtime, training, services to GPs and other hospitals, and the number of temporary staff.
