The Health Minister has called for an 'all hands on deck' approach for the health service this winter.
Stephen Donnelly is today bringing the €168m HSE Winter Plan to Cabinet which aims to recruit hundreds of additional healthcare staff including 51 emergency department consultants.
The plan looks to expand capacity in public hospitals and access to private hospital facilities.
Patients will be seen for diagnostic tests like MRIs at evenings and on weekends while the plan also features a push to support local care to ease pressure on emergency departments.
