The SIPTU Trade union, which represents staff at Mount Carmel hospital in Dublin, says ‘all options should be explored to find a way to save jobs at the facility’.

An emergency meeting between the union and liquidators appointed to the hospital took place this evening after provisional liquidators were appointed to Mount Carmel earlier today.

The National Maternity Hospital has now moved to reassure patients who were due to give birth Mount Carmel in the coming weeks and months.

The Hospital says it's been in contact with medics at Mount Carmel to discuss contingency plans for the eventual closure of the private hospital.

But, SIPTU Organiser, Kevin Figgis, says its important that all avenues are looked at.