Medical assessment unit at Mallow General Hospital to remain open 

A spokesperson from Mallow General Hospital has said that measures have been put in place to ensure that the hospital's medical assessment unit can remain open.

The Taoiseach met the Health Service Executive (HSE) this evening to discuss Mallow General Hospital after concerns were raised that the medical assessment unit at the hospital may close for a temporary period.

It came after the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) issued a statement in which they said that staff were informed of plans to close the medical assessment unit for at least four weeks due to a lack of medical cover.

The Mallow Urgent Care Centre is made up of a Local Injury Unit and a Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) with patients attending the Unit which best meets their healthcare needs. The MAU accepts referrals from GPs across the North Cork hinterland.

A spokesperson for the hospital has said that staffing issues are being managed to ensure the unit can remain open.

"Current staffing issues are being managed in an active recruitment process and as MGH is part of the Cork University Hospital (CUH) Group, CUH is directly supporting the staffing requirements to ensure that the Mallow MAU services continue to be provided.

"The Local Injury Unit continues to operate as normal.” 

James O’Connor TD noted how any reduction in staffing would cause many patients to divert to CUH and other Cork hospitals that already face significant overcrowding.

Along with his Fianna Fáil Cork area colleagues, Mr O'Connor had raised the potential of staff shortages at Mallow General Hospital with the Minister for Health as an urgent matter that would have a significant impact on hospital capacity in the Cork area.