Legal threat over hospital services

SUPPORTERS of a major regional hospital threatened legal action yesterday to safeguard its services.

The Mallow General Hospital Action Group spoke out after it emerged on Wednesday that a lifesaving 1 million CT scanner, which arrived at the north Cork hospital before Christmas, is still wrapped in plastic and gathering dust in storage because there is no radiographer to operate it.

Action group secretary Joe Sherlock TD held a press conference yesterday to highlight this and other problems facing the hospital. He called on health bosses to cut through red tape and urgently appoint specialists to operate the scanner.

But he also said the group will fight to protect the future of its under-threat accident and emergency unit and to secure the delivery of a long-promised €10 million day unit: “We must not stand idly by. The Health Service Executive (HSE) must do everything it can to safeguard the A&E unit.”

The unit’s future is uncertain following a review of acute services headed by Professor Gerard Wrixon, the ex-president of University College Cork (UCC). The review issued a range of requirements, impacting on the A&E, which the hospital must meet if training recognition is to be maintained.

“Our committee is resolved to make a submission to the review to maintain these vital services at Mallow,” Mr Sherlock said.

“The matter is of such importance to the people that unless action is taken, the committee will have to take legal proceedings, including a judicial review.”

But the HSE said it is anxious that Mallow continues as a teaching hospital linked to UCC.

A HSE spokesperson said they are addressing the issues raised by the review and a casualty officer has been employed at the A&E since last November. “A detailed response with proposals has been submitted to the respective training bodies on other issues raised,” she said.

And the HSE expects to advertise soon for specialist staff to operate the scanner.