The Health Service Executive has confirmed that it is considering cost-cutting proposals for the northeast which would dramatically reduce services in many areas.
The document, seen by RTÉ News, discusses closing the Accident & Emergency Department in the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk and the A&E unit, also called the Treatment Room, in Monaghan General which was only recently opened.
Also put forward are plans to cut elective surgery by 20-25% in the Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk and the Cavan/Monaghan hospital group.
The memo also highlights the possibility of reducing out-patient clinics by 20% in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, as well as the Cavan/Monaghan Hospital group.
The memo was drafted following a meeting of senior HSE North East managers and listed what was described as these 'identified actions'.
A spokesperson for the HSE North East said they were facing 'a challenging year' and the memo was aimed at looking at how the hospitals in the area could stay within their budget allocations.
No final decision has yet been made about any reductions in service. The spokesperson said that is likely to happen by mid-February.
