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.

But sources in the Department of Health last night confirmed those hospitals would retain 24-hour medical cover, provided by doctors.

The opposition was quick to respond last night, describing the announcement as a U-turn forced on the Government by local opposition and fears of adverse voter-reaction in the June elections.

Fine Gael’s Olivia Mitchell said it was a climbdown, prompted by concerns about its impact on FF’s local election candidates. She said emergency cover provided by doctors was the first sign the Government was coming to its senses.

Labour’s Liz McManus said the Government was trying to “wriggle off the hook” in the run-up to the local elections. She argued, however, that medical cover might merely mean a GP on call at night.

“What’s required in these hospticals is an accident and emergency unit run by consultants. Anything else will be inadequate,” she said.

Also in his address, Mr Ahern appealed to the Irish Hospital Consultants Association to “return to the table and engage in essential contract negotiations”.