The Higgins Report into the creation of six new hospital groups with university links, which is currently in the possession of Health Minister Dr James Reilly, is recommending a major shake-up in hospital services in the south east, The Munster Express understands, with Waterford and South Tipperary hospitals to be linked with Cork University Hospital. However it should be noted that the plan may change following political input when Dr Reilly brings the findings before Cabinet. Last November, the Health Minister gave assurances that Waterford Regional Hospital will retain key services such as cancer care, cardiology, and trauma care regardless of any changes to the hospital networks.
Under the recommendations of Professor Higgins, Waterford would also retain its 24-hour Emergency Department. When the Acute Medical Assessment Unit, which admits patients directly from the Emergency Department, is not open on a continuous basis, all patients presenting with medical conditions would be managed by the acute medical team on-call in the emergency department (ED).
