Moving Limerick heart attack patients to Galway will lead to ‘disasters’

A leading consultant cardiologist has warned that a decision by the HSE to transfer patients in Limerick who suffer from a specific type of heart attack to Galway will lead to “disasters”.

Consultant Brendan Meaney said the new policy to bypass the Mid-Western Regional Hospital at weekends and out of hours was taken by decision-makers at national level.

He said the facilities and expert medical staff were available to provide a 24/7 service in Limerick, but ancillary nursing and radiography staff are not available.