A&E crisis deepens as consultant quits over staffing

ONGOING difficulties in the accident and emergency (A&E) unit at Kerry General Hospital, Tralee, were yesterday further highlighted after the resignation of the hospital’s A&E consultant, Dr Sean O’Rourke.

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.