Fears Navan A&E could close tonight

There are fears that the A&E Department at Our Lady's Hospital in Navan could close tonight, because of an unofficial work stoppage on the part of agency doctors.

It is believed a number of agency staff have not turned up for work today and the emergency department is in danger of shutting due to a lack of necessary cover.

The unofficial action on behalf of agency staff stems from a drive by the HSE to bring parity between the pay levels of its own medical workers and those on agency contracts.
The HSE has moved to cut overtime pay for agency workers and the hospital in Navan has a particularly high proportion of non-HSE workers employed there.

Deputy Peadar Toibín expressed concern at the dispute. "The over reliance on agency staff in our hospitals has increased massively the wage bill that theyhave to foot each year.

"Due to this a disagreement,  many have not shown up for work in a number of different hospitals".

"I am told that there is a significant threat that the A&E could be closed this evening. I have received word from the HSE that the situation in the A&E is fluid. I am told that there are contingency plans being developed to try and keep the A&E open, but that the outcome of this is not certain.

"This is particularly shocking for The Save Navan Hospital Campaign as many will know that it is the HSE and Government's plan to close our A&E. Once a closure of a service occurs within the HSE there are real fears for it not reopening. I am calling on the Minister for Health Simon Harris to personally intervene and guarantee that Meath has a functioning A&E tonight, tomorrow and into the future," concluded Deputy Tóibín.