Hospital forced to stop taking child respiratory patients

CHILDREN with cystic fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis could be left without essential medical care after one of the biggest children’s hospital was forced to stop taking respiratory patients.

GPs have been informed that Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin has closed its respiratory clinic to referrals because it has a two-year waiting list.

It follows the news that one of the country’s biggest hospitals, the Mater, is to close 70 of its 650 beds and reduce its outpatient services by up to 50%.