FEARS that the A&E department at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital could be forced to close from 8am to 8pm, from July, have been allayed.
Earlier, the hospital board had indicated its complement of non-consultant doctors had been halved and would be obliged to close the accident and emergency service, the second busiest in the country, for 12 hours duration overnight.
However, the HSE, along with political figures, have moved to dispel the claims, stating that the A&E department is not at risk of closure and that measures are being taken to deal with the staffing crisis.
Following a meeting with Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly, deputy Kieran O’Donnell, told the Limerick Post that he had been assured the 24 hour A&E service would be preserved.
“Minister Reilly is to put procedures in place to fast-track the recruitment of NCHD’s (non-consultant hospital doctors), to be in place before July 11”.
Meanwhile, Minister Michael Noonan, said that Minister Reilly had given his personal commitment that there would be no early closures at the Regional.
The HSE West Regional director John Hennessy, also moved to clarify the situation, saying that no decision had been taken to close or curtail the emergency service.
