A DOCTOR in north Cork said he cannot guarantee the safety of his patients because of a lack of investment in Mallow General Hospital.

THE Government has been forced to lift its threat to end contract talks with hospital consultants by Christmas and the deadline has been pushed back to January.

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney conceded last night that hiring expensive consultants had become the “norm” for Government departments.

The row over doctor-only medical cards continued tonight as the Irish Medical Organisation denied it was standing in the way of the scheme’s introduction.