HSE defends delay in solving Limerick and Cork hospital chaos

National support team working with University Hospital Limerick since summer has recently started supporting Cork and Galway university hospitals

Limerick and Cork university hospitals were among those highlighted by Hiqa this week as facing significant pressures, with waiting times of 80 to 90 hours 'not uncommon'.

Senior HSE officials have defended the progress their specialist team is making with under-pressure emergency departments in Limerick and Cork, insisting improvements take time.

A HSE national support team has been working with University Hospital Limerick since the summer, and has recently also started supporting Cork University Hospital and Galway University Hospital.