Management from the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) and the Health Service Executive will meet next week to discuss the recent concerns raised by the hospital.

Earlier this week, management at the hospital held a press conference where they revealed the cost cutting plans they will have to undertake this year to meet with a reduced budget in 2008 and the need to increase staffing levels to fully operate the new accident and emergency facility at the hospital. They said that because of a shortfall in funding they would only be able to open their state of the art accident and emergency facility on a part time basis.

Local public representatives raised serious concerns in the aftermath of the conference with Fine Gael's Deputy Deirdre Clune describing the necessary early closing time for the A&E as a farce while Labour's Kathleen Lunch said that the Mercy University Hospital has been treated shamefully by the HSE, as have its staff, and most importantly, the people of Cork.

Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen strongly criticised comments made by the Minister for Health, Mary Harney earlier this week that the Mercy's demands were ‘unjustified'. "I think I've heard it all now. To be honest, the only thing that is unjustified is Mary Harney's continued occupation of the role of Minister for Health.

"We have seen massive cuts in services across Cork with major problems not only at the Mercy hospital but also in Mallow and elsewhere. The responsibility for this lies squarely at the door of Mary Harney," he said.

Yesterday morning, a meeting was held between Mercy University Hospital management and the HSE at the MUH to discuss the important issues which have been raised this week.

MUH CEO, Pat Madden said the meeting was "useful" and will be followed by process of meetings over the next couple weeks.

He added that in the meantime, MUH is continuing to formulate plans to opened the new emergency department at the hospital on a restricted hours basis by June.

The HSE confirmed that management at MUH and the HSE will hold another meeting next week.

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