Harney refuses to rule out Ennis Hospital downgrading

Health Minister Mary Harney is refusing to rule out the possibility that a new investigation of standards at Ennis General Hospital could lead to a downgrading of services.

Ms Harney announced yesterday that a review of the hospital would be carried out in light of the latest revelations about cancer misdiagnoses.

Two women, Anne Moriarty and Edel Kelly, died from cancer this year after they were misdiagnosed at Ennis General.

Speaking in Dublin today, the Minister refused to be drawn on local concerns that the review could lead to the loss of the A&E unit at Ennis hospital.

However, she insisted there were too many full-time A&E units in the country and said this was leading to shortcomings in the standard of services.