A&E Dept finally opens at Cork hospital

The new Accident and Emergency Department at Mercy University Hospital in Cork has finally been opened after being dogged by controversy.

The €4.7m facility has been lying idle for the past 20 months.

The delay was caused by a row between management and the HSE over staffing numbers.

The staff shortage means that a number of services are not available at this stage.

The state-of-the-art facility officially opened its doors today.

Chief Executive of the Mercy Pat Madden said the delay has been disappointing.