Talks on mid-west hospital reforms collapse at LRC

Health service unions are to consult their members today following the collapse of talks with the HSE about the centralisation of accident and emergency services in the mid-west.

The talks at the Labour Relations Commission were aimed at resolving a number of issues before the planned changes in the Teamwork Report come into effect next Monday.

The changes include the closure of full-time A&E services at the Mid Western Regional Hospitals in Nenagh and Ennis.

The talks collapsed last night, with unions accusing the HSE of failing to address concerns about staffing levels and patient safety.