Two sister hospitals in neighbouring counties have emerged as having the country’s best and worst death rates for heart attack patients in their care.

The Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise has apologised to the family of an eight-year-old Brazilian boy who tragically died from an infection 18 hours after he was discharged from their care.

The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has reportedly been forced to cancel operations due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.