A&E hit harder by bug than strike

THERE were nine patients on A&E trolleys at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital yesterday morning but not, it has been suggested, because of the nurses work to rule.

Joe Cassidy, clinical nursing manager in A&E, said nobody would have been on a trolley if it wasn’t for the winter vomiting bug.

When the Irish Examiner visited the hospital shortly before 1pm there were just seven patients waiting.