THE MERCY University Hospital (MUH) in Cork said yesterday it would open its new €4.7 million emergency department in June but with curtailed hours which would result in no night opening because of a shortfall in its current funding allocation from the HSE.
MUH chief executive Pat Madden said the Mercy regrets that it will not be able to open the new facility on a 24/7 basis as currently happens with the hospital's existing emergency department and will instead open most probably from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
He said the Mercy received an allocation from the HSE of €75.3 million last year but that its allocation for 2008 was reduced to €73.4 million.
The opening of the new emergency department which was completed in March 2007 has been delayed because of an ongoing dispute over staffing levels with the Mercy arguing that it needs an extra 25 staff to open the new larger facility.
However, the HSE has said that when original approval was given for the facility, the MUH sought additional revenue of €400,000 but when building work finished in January last year, it requested €1.497 million to staff the new facility.
Earlier this month, HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm categorically ruled out any extra funding for the Mercy to open the emergency department.
But yesterday Mr Madden said Prof Drumm had brought matters to a head with his comments and the Mercy had decided to open the new emergency department on a limited basis.
"We're very disappointed and it's a matter of regret to us that we can't open it at the moment and it has lain idle for the best part of 12 months," said Mr Madden, adding that negotiations with the HSE had been ongoing.
"What we're saying now is if the message from the HSE is to use our existing resources, this is the best we can do with it," he said.
Responding to the MUH's announcement, HSE South Hospital network manager Gerry O'Dwyer said the HSE was "disappointed that MUH management made today's announcement about the proposed restricted opening times in the new A&E.
"The HSE and MUH management are actively engaged in discussions regarding the opening of the new department and, in an effort to advance the issue, both sides agreed in December 2007 to an evaluation of the staffing requirements for the new facility," he said.
"This process will be concluded shortly. The HSE and MUH are scheduled to meet again tomorrow to discuss the opening as well as the impact today's announcement will have on A&E services in the city," he added.