A&E crisis deepens as consultant quits over staffing
Dr O’Rourke had previously threatened to leave his post because of what he publicly claimed was the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) failure to provide adequate staff.
Confirming the resignation of Dr O’Rourke, to take effect next spring, the HSE said it was in the process of recruiting a temporary replacement, pending the permanent replacement of Dr O’Rourke through the Public Appointments Commission.
“The HSE Southern Area regrets Dr O’Rourke’s decision and remains committed to the emergency department of Kerry General,” it added.
Concern has been growing about under-staffing at the Tralee hospital’s A&E unit, which sees more than 28,000 new attendances every year.
Last month, Kerry GPs staged a protest at the hospital, claiming that smaller A&E units elsewhere had more consultants, several registrars and twice the number of junior doctors as Kerry General.
The GPs demanded more facilities and more support for the unit and Dr O’Rourke.
Junior doctors also joined the protest as a show of support for Dr O’Rourke and his attempts to get extra staff.
Yesterday’s HSE statement said there were “ongoing discussions” regarding staffing at the A&E unit, including discussions on a second consultant post and the upgrading of senior house officers to registrar grades.
The HSE was also exploring ways of providing additional cover out of hours. A new emergency department is also due to be built, the statement said.
Doctors in Kerry said staff numbers had changed little since the hospital opened in 1984, despite a huge increase in the hospital’s attendance.
HSE chief executive Professor Brendan Drumm recently visited Kerry General and is looking at involving more primary care physicians within the hospital’s A&E unit.
The HSE Southern Area, meanwhile, said it does not believe Dr O’Rouke is leaving because of a lack of resources.
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