A&E unit ‘not closing over doctor shortage’

THE director for operations in the HSE West area said yesterday there was no possibility of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital’s A&E unit being closed at night-time due to a shortage of junior doctors.

At the HSE West forum’s annual meeting in Galway yesterday, John Hennessy allayed concerns the Limerick hospital — serving a catchment area of a population of 361,000 — would have its A&E closed at night, from July, due to the looming shortage of junior doctors.

At the meeting, members expressed their serious concerns and anger over the reports that patients looking to attend Limerick Hospital between 8pm and 8am would be diverted to hospitals in Galway and Cork from July 11.