Multi-million-euro A&E to open on ‘phased basis’ after 19 months idle

HEALTH service management have insisted Mercy University Hospital’s (MUH) multi-million-euro accident and emergency (A&E) department — which has lain idle for 19 months — will be opened “on a phased basis” within three weeks.

Speaking to local councillors at the southern regional health forum meeting in Cork County Hall yesterday, senior HSE South management said the long-awaited opening of the facility would take place before December.

Despite a €4.7 million price tag, the high quality emergency department has failed to be opened since construction work concluded in June 2007, with a series of previous opening dates passing in vain.