An independent review of all acute hospital services in the northeast region has been ordered by the Health Service Executive.
Outside consultants are to be asked to recommend how hospital services and staffing should be organised to ensure there is a safe, cost-effective service.
The terms of reference for the project direct the consultants to examine the benefits and risks with the current provision of five acute hospitals in the region serving a population of around 350,000 people.
The review will look at Accident and Emergency facilities, the number of hospital consultants, beds, theatres, and will compare them with international norms.
The consultants appointed will make short and long term recommendations to the head of the HSE, Professor Brendan Drumm, on how hospital services should be organised in the future.
