Unit for sick children lies idle as deadlock continues

MOVES to open a new unit for very sick children at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital are still deadlocked, the HSE confirmed last night.

Hugely expensive equipment for a high dependency ward in the paediatric unit has been lying unused at the hospital for the past four years due to a dispute between the HSE and the Irish Nurses Organisation.

Following a statement by Minister for State Tony Killeen yesterday, the HSE played down any prospects of an immediate breakthrough, claiming the issue can be resolved by the nursing unions.