Harney called to respond to op deferrals

The new Minister for Health, Tánaiste Mary Harney, is coming under pressure to make a statement on the deferral of cardiac operations at Our Lady’s hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

The hospital was forced to put off two operations on Monday to accommodate patients in need of emergency intensive care.

Labour's Health spokeswoman, Liz McManus, says Ms Harney must immediately respond to the deferral, which she says is caused by chronic staff shortages in the intensive care unit.