CORK, one of two national centres designated by the Government to treat victims of nuclear and chemical incidents, has no facilities to fulfil its role, according to a report from the Southern Health Board.
The extent of the problem came to light when a special review group completed its report on accident and emergency services in Cork for the SHB and the city's Boards of the Voluntary Hospitals.
Most of the State's chemical industry is in Cork, and three quarters of hazardous waste produced each year comes from industry in the area. Much of this is exported for incineration outside the State.
The review group, whose report was presented to the SHB's monthly meeting yesterday, recommended that negotiations with the Department of Health be instituted and a solution found as soon as possible.
The Cork University Hospital provides staff at the site of major incidents, and its accident and emergency department is where victims of such an accident would be brought under the terms of the board's major incident plan. The Mercy Hospital and South Infirmary/Victoria hospitals are designated secondary receiving units.
The report found there was inadequate equipment and staff to deal with a major emergency. A second accident and emergency consultant was needed together with additional nursing and other staff "at the very least for the hospital to continue to fulfil its role efficiently".
The health board members will discuss the issue at a series of committee meetings during July.