CONTINGENCY PLANS have been drawn up by the Health Service Executive that would see the removal of around-the-clock emergency services from the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise unless it can recruit more junior doctors within the next three weeks.
The junior doctor shortage, which could also result in other hospital emergency departments having to restrict their opening hours, was discussed by Minister for Health Dr James Reilly with HSE officials yesterday.
A spokesman for Dr Reilly said they had been considering “the various options that are there” but there was more work to be done on the issue.
Junior doctors rotate posts every six months as part of their training. The next changeover occurs on July 11th, when it is estimated the shortages of junior doctors will be more acute than in previous years. Early predictions were that hospitals would be 400 doctors short but it is understood the HSE now expects the number of vacancies to be closer to 180.
The Laois-Offaly Fine Gael TD and party chairman Charlie Flanagan said he was alarmed at speculation Portlaoise hospital could have its emergency department opening hours reduced. He said he had met Dr Reilly and impressed on him the vital importance of maintaining current services at the hospital.
“Portlaoise hospital is in a unique position in that it not only services a large urban centre and rural hinterland stretching beyond county boundaries, but it also provides services for the 800 prisoners incarcerated in Portlaoise’s prisons,” he said.
He said the hospital’s emergency department treated many more patients than Mullingar and Tullamore hospitals. Last year there were more than 41,000 presentations at the emergency department compared to 36,000 in Mullingar and 28,000 in Tullamore.
The HSE said it was engaging with all three hospitals with a view to developing a contingency plan for the three “in the likely event” of a shortage of junior doctors.
“A number of proposals are being considered,” it said. “It is important to note that no decision has been taken with regard to any service or hospital. All proposals are subject to further consideration and impact assessment.”
HSE West earlier this week made a similar statement when it emerged contingency plans had also been drawn up to limit the opening hours of the emergency department of Roscommon County Hospital from 8am to 8pm due to junior doctor shortages.
Recruitment, the HSE said, was ongoing, and it was too early to say which hospitals and what parts of the country may be affected by shortages.
