Water crisis 'may force A&E depts to shut'

A leading hospital consultant is warning that one third of emergency departments may have to close due to water restrictions.

Dr Chris Luke, Consultant in Emergency Medecine at Cork University Hospital, said that with the prevalence of seasonal flu and swine flu a return to work will likely lead to a spread of the disease.

In addition hospitals are struggling to hire enough doctors, which will only exacerbate the problem, Dr Luke said.

"I am really very concerned that about a third of (A&E departments) may have to close in two weeks' time," Dr Luke said.