Hospital lays on shuttle bus for clinic patients

A BUSY Cork city hospital which will be affected by tight security for the visit is laying on a special shuttle bus to help patients attend clinics.

Management at Cork’s Mercy University Hospital (MUH) made the announcement after it emerged some patients had been forced to cancel or reschedule their appointments on May 20.

Gardaí are imposing very strict security arrangements around the hospital on the day to facilitate the visit to the nearby Tyndall research institute.

A hospital spokesman stressed that MUH’s services will continue as normal on the day. But once hospital management became aware of the security arrangements which were being imposed they began contacting patients due to attend on the day. MUH staff told the patients that cars will be banned from the area around the facility, and they will have to present photo ID to gain access to the building. They were offered alternative appointments. Some cancelled appointments.

Sinn Féin criticised the impact on patients.

But MUH confirmed yesterday that outpatients attending clinics and those with difficulty reaching the hospital will be able to use a special shuttle bus, which will be provided by MUH, on the day.

“The arrangements regarding this bus are being communicated to patients directly. If people attending the hospital have a problem or need further information they should telephone the hospital or contact their outpatients department.”