'Very significant patient safety risks' forced decision to close Navan emergency department

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said the chief clinical officer and staff at various levels had raised concerns with him about patient safety at the hospital, highlighting issues with ICU capacity. File picture:Arthur Carron/Collins

The identification of “very significant and serious patient safety risks” prompted the decision to close the emergency department at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan, Co Meath, Paul Reid has said.

The HSE chief executive told the Oireachtas health committee that a number of serious issues had been personally brought to his attention, and to the attention of the HSE, regarding the situation in Navan.