THE overcrowded A&E department at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick is being clogged up by non-urgent cases because GPs say they are forced to refer routine X-ray cases there in order to get prompt examinations.

THE growing number of female doctors is causing a staffing crisis as they are avoiding jobs that involve weekend work and long hours, claim consultants.

PATIENTS in the mid-west face long journeys and hospital delays for routine medical checks normally carried out by GPs.

Jockey Paul Hanagan, who returned to action yesterday after serving suspensions totalling 20 days, was back in the winner’s circle after steering Golden Legacy to an easy victory in the Levy Board Maiden Stakes at Catterick today.

WOMEN hold just 26% of medical consultant posts and only outnumber men at senior level in the area of psychiatry.

WITH the Irish Open going back to its roots at Portmarnock next year it could be a propitious time for a property which has been quietly on the market since last summer.