Hospital faces fines after cuts to theatre time

One of the country’s busiest maternity hospitals could face stiff financial penalties after being forced to cut back on surgery because of reduced theatre time.

Since last July, surgeons at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) have had access to the gynaecology theatre for just three-and-a- half days a week, down from five. Professor Richard Greene, clinical director of the Cork University Hospital (CUH) Group, said the reduction in operating hours meant 29 women were now close to breaking the limit of not waiting more than nine months for surgery. Failure to meet the nine- month target, set by the Department of Health Special Delivery Unit (SDU), can carry substantial fines.

Prof Greene said the theatre restrictions were caused by a combination of staffing shortages and the ongoing ban on recruitment.