The IMPACT trade union has warned of widespread ward closures in Galway following a meeting with management at University Hospital Galway.
A spokesman for the union said management indicated that further reductions in services may become necessary to meet new Health Service Executive spending targets.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the hospital says the scaling back of services was normal during a time of reduced activity.
However she said emergency treatments would continue as normal.
IMPACT has been staging protests in Galway in recent weeks against cuts in staff and services.
Today it said the full extent of these measures were outlined in detail for the first time.
The key cutbacks include the closure of Merlin Park Hospital's orthopaedic unit for two months, St Mary's medical ward for three weeks, and the ten-bed gynaecology ward at University Hospital Galway will close for the rest of the year and a waiting list will be formed.
IMPACT official Denis Rohan said the cuts would be devastating for patients, but health care workers would continue to take a stand.
Hospital Manager Bridget Howley said the hospital's budget is approximately €286m and that it was necessary to implement measures to ensure that the hospital remains within budget by the end of the year.
