Health Minister warned of infection risk at Ennis hospital

It has emerged that Health Minister Mary Harney was warned about the infection risk to patients at Ennis General Hospital two years before a hospital superbug contributed to the deaths of 15 patients.

A report released on Thursday revealed that 46 people contracted the potentially lethal C-Difficile at the hospital.

The Irish Independent reports that consultant Terry Hennessy wrote to the Health Minister Mary Harney in April 2005.

He warned her about overcrowding at Ennis General Hospital, saying occupancy levels were reaching 120% - a level that would leave patients at risk of cross-infection.

Seven other consultants contacted the Health Minister, voicing the same concerns.

Yesterday's report by the HSE revealed how major weaknesses in the care of patients at the hospital meant they were particularly vulnerable to infection.

The female medical ward where 22 patients were infected had occupancy levels of between almost 100% and 106% during the period of the outbreak.