A&E safety risks ‘will be dealt with by health group’

ANY safety risks identified in the inspection of hospital accident and emergency units ordered by the health watchdog will be dealt with as a matter of urgency, said Health Service Executive head yesterday.

“Certainly, where there is overcrowding, the question of risk arises,” said HSE chief executive Kevin Kelly when he attended the opening of a €96 million development at the newly named Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Dublin, yesterday.

Mr Kelly said the HSE, which received the Health and Safety Authority’s inspection request yesterday, would be working with the hospitals to ensure that any risks identified in the audits would be dealt with as a matter of urgency.