The Health Service Executive has confirmed that cuts in services at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan are to be introduced in an effort to stay within budget.
The HSE said that from Monday the orthopaedic theatres in the hospital will close for two days every week, with the aim of reducing the number of elective or non-emergency operations.
The Regional Orthopaedic Unit will close entirely for three weeks in December.
Consultant orthopaedic surgeons are to review their lists of patients who have already been scheduled for treatment and will 'clinically prioritise them'.
The HSE said they regretted any delay for patients but pointed out that the waiting lists for adult elective inpatient treatment was only around three months, which is well below the six-month national target.
