Plans to close A&Es being considered by HSE

PLANS to close or limit accident and emergency departments across the country are being considered by the Health Service Executive.

Two months ago the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) highlighted the severe difficulties in recruiting junior doctors to staff A&Es, now known as emergency departments (EDs).

Since then the situation has deteriorated, with some EDs consistently unable to fill shifts with doctors of the necessary experience to safely manage patients, according to the IAEM.