TD and consultants argue over break-up of hospitals

A bitter dispute has broken out between consultants and a Government TD over who is to blame for a feared break-up of the hospital network in the south-east and a consequent loss of health services.

Fine Gael TD John Deasy has accused consultants at Waterford Regional Hospital, which may lose specialities like cancer care and cardiology under the plan, of putting in an “underwhelming” performance when arguing the case for retaining the south-east network and all its facilities.

However, the hospital’s clinical director, Dr Rob Landers, retorted that Mr Deasy was trying to shift the blame from Government TDs.