A&E post remains vacant

A LOCUM consultant will be employed at the A&E department in Kerry General Hospital (KGH), Tralee, for some time to come, it emerged yesterday.

It is almost two years since A&E consultant Sean O’Rourke left KGH for a position at a midlands hospital, having been strongly critical of a lack of staff and resources due to a funds shortage at KGH.

Interviews for a permanent A&E consultant at KGH were held last year but no appointment resulted from this process.

The HSE yesterday confirmed a locum consultant has been employed at KGH since the permanent position became vacant and said at no time has there been any disruption to the hospital’s A&E service.

It is understood no new appointments will be made until contentious negotiations on the recruitment of additional consultants are concluded between the HSE and groups representing consultant doctors.

KGH general manager Margie Lynch said the Tralee post will then be readvertised and interviews scheduled.

KGH is seeking a number of extra consultant posts, including a second A&E consultant which has been earmarked as the top priority in a Southern Hospitals Group submission.