Limerick A&E 'may have to close at night'

There are fears that the country's second busiest hospital emergency department will be forced to close at night from July 11 onwards due to a shortage of non-consultant hospital doctors.

The impending closure of the emergency department at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick was outlined to the Health Service Executive chief executive on a recent visit, according to a report in the Sunday Business Post.

It is believed patients will have to be diverted from Limerick to Cork and Galway between 8pm and 8am, from next month.

The HSE says it is giving the issue the highest level of attention.

There are also fears that A&E services will also be cut at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, because of a lack of non-consultant doctors.