Ahern signals climbdown on emergency hospital cover

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern last night signalled a partial climbdown on the Hanly Report when he confirmed smaller hospitals would maintain 24-hour emergency cover provided by doctors.

In his opening address to this weekend’s Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis in CityWest, Dublin, Mr Ahern gave an assurance that downgraded hospitals would continue to provide 24-hour medical cover.

The ’s assurance followed similar remarks from Health Minister Micheál Martin last week, who had referred to 24-hour “medical cover” at hospitals which will have their emergency and acute services downgraded. The Hanly Report had referred to hospitals, that no longer provided acute or emergency services, retaining only nurse-led small injuries units.