Health service may be facing most challenging week in its history, says minister

Health minister Stephen Donnelly warned that the situation in hospitals would get worse before it got better Picture: Brian Lawless/PA)

Ireland’s health service is potentially facing the most challenging week in its history, a minister for state has said.

Joe O’Brien’s stark prediction came as health minister Stephen Donnelly warned that the situation in hospitals would get worse before it got better, with “very serious pressure” expected in the coming weeks.