Cork University Hospital is showing that improvements to patient care and flow are possible through initiatives, investment and collective commitment, writes Tony McNamara

GPs are demanding answers as to why they have been unable to send their patients’ blood samples for testing following a major IT failure at one of the country’s biggest hospitals last month.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has signalled further turmoil lies ahead over the future of smaller hospitals as campaigners stepped up their protest against cutbacks at Roscommon Hospital.