Health service executive cuts to home help and services for high-dependency patients have provoked a furious reaction from groups working with older people and the disabled. The HSE is attempting to deal with its 260 million euro deficit by imposing these 130 million euro in cuts announced yesterday.

Of the eight cost-cutting proposals in the HSE plan outlined yesterday, at least three will affect older people or the disabled specifically. Services for both groups are likely to be seriously affected by a 600,000-hour cut in home help hours, as well as a reduction of 200 home care packages and a €10 million reduction in hours for personal assistants for people who need high levels of support trying to live independently.

Michael Corbett, a disability activist, told Midwest News this morning that these cuts will effectively lock people with physical disabilities into their homes.

Minister Reilly is expected to announce further cuts next week.

The impact of cuts in each region won’t be known until then but it’s likely to include bed and theatre closures in hospitals, particularly at weekends.

Yesterday Castlebar councillor Michael Kilcoyne told Midwest News that the Medical Assessment Unit at MGH will close from Monday next, indefinitely, due to a shortage of nurses.

Midwest News sought clarification from the HSE on the matter since yesterday morning, however, no response has been forthcoming.

This afternoon it has emerged that a further 30 contracts of newly qualified nurses working at Mayo General and across Mayo Mental Health Services will not be renewed from next week.

Councillor Kilcoyne has again sought clarification from the Hse West on this development.