Small hospitals responsible for 80% of cancelled ops in Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary

Independent councillor for Nenagh Seamus Morris said: 'The only game in town is to re-open the emergency departments in Nenagh, St John’s and Ennis'

UL Hospital Group CEO Colette Cowan said: “These decisions are never taken lightly, especially in the case of patients who we know have already faced long waits for treatment. We always endeavour to reschedule patients as soon as possible.” 

More than 80% of operations cancelled in Limerick, Clare, and North Tipperary since January were in small hospitals with only 13% at University Hospital Limerick, the Regional Health Forum West heard.

In all, 438 inpatient and day-case procedures were cancelled since January across UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s hospitals. This includes 162 in Nenagh, 120 in Ennis and 97 at St John’s with 59 cancelled at UHL.