Clare members of the regional health forum say they are not surprised at claims from a senior doctor that the public service retirement scheme could cost lives.
Doctor Gerry Burke, a senior obstetrician at the Mid-Western Maternity Hospital in Limerick yesterday warned that the expected loss of 47 of the facility’s 200 midwives from next month will compromise patient care.
The hospital provides care to over 6-thousand women and about 5-thousand-200 newborn infants in the mid-west – including County Clare – every year.
The workers will not be replaced as a result of the ongoing recruitment embargo.
The HSE has issued a statement saying contingency plans are being developed to cover any gaps that may arise in staffing as a result of midwives retiring at the end of next month.
However Ennis Councillor and member of the health forum west Tony Mulqueen feels the embargo must be reviewed.
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