Reilly’s approach to A&E unit cynical, says Martin

OPPOSITION politicians in Cork city warned that the closure of the emergency department at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and the transfer of orthopaedic services from St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital may be a disaster for patients.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and health spokesman Billy Kelleher called on the HSE and the Health Minister to outline their plans to prevent an overcrowding crisis at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and the Mercy University Hospital after the closure of the South Infirmary’s department.

Mr Martin accused Health Minister James Reilly of making promises he “never intended to keep” during the general election.

“[Dr Reilly’s] highly cynical approach is hurting patients, staff and members of the public,” he said.

Cllr Ted Tynan of the Workers’ Party said that closing the emergency department would “inevitably cost lives”.

The South Infirmary’s emergency department will close in April, with patients being directed to CUH and St Mary’s urgent care centre, which will open next year.

Orthopaedic services including scheduled inpatient treatments, rehabilitation trauma and day surgery will transfer from St Mary’s to the South Infirmary this December.

According to the HSE, patients will benefit from having orthopaedic and rehabilitation services in one site. There will be three rather than two operating theatres, and two orthopaedic consultants with a special interest in paediatrics will be hired, meaning paediatric orthopaedic work can restart in Cork.

South Infirmary chief executive Gerard O’Callaghan said: “The transfer copper-fastens the future of the [South Infirmary] as an elective hospital, which means that patients scheduled for operations and other procedures will not be cancelled due to emergency patients arriving at the hospital.”