New IMO president: A&E 'shambolic'

The newly-elected president of the Irish Medical Organisation has described Ireland's accident and emergency services as shambolic.

Speaking from the organisation's annual conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, today, Asam Ishtiaq said the on-going overcrowding crisis in A&E units was a disgrace in such a wealthy country.

"Yesterday, Wexford General Hospital had its worst crisis in living memory in terms of patients waiting to be admitted to the hospital," he said.

"We are the second-richest country in the EU and the way we treat our citizens who may have to present to accident and emergency departments for acute illnesses is shambolic."