The ridiculous situation of Mr. Earley of the Mater Hospital and the Children's Hospital, Temple Street, was reported in yesterday's Irish Independent. Mr. Earley stated that he is available to perform surgery but that, due to cutbacks, his list of surgical appointments has been cancelled. He also stated that he is being asked to perform operations in the private sector under the Government treatment purchase fund. Comments were also made by the Beaumont Hospital accident and emergency consultant, Mr. Aidan Gleeson, on the implications of the possible closure of 115 beds in the Mater Hospital, at which between 20 to 30 patients are already on trolleys. In addition, there is a strike by public health doctors, who perform a crucial role in monitoring the spread of communicable diseases. With the ever-present danger of SARS on the horizon, all is not well in the health system.