Plans to open a new €4 million accident and emergency department at the Mercy University Hospital, Cork which will cater for 30,000 patients a year, have been delayed by at least a month because of discussions between the hospital and the Health Service Executive (HSE) over additional recruitment.
According to a spokesman for the hospital, the planned opening of the new A&E will be determined by a number of factors including talks with the HSE over the recruitment of 25 extra staff for the new facility.
"The outcome of these discussions will determine when the new A&E department will open," said the spokesman.
He said the hospital began work on the facility over a year ago after getting HSE approval.
The hospital does not believe that the HSE embargo on recruitment announced last week will impact on these discussions, as they have been ongoing for some time before the embargo was announced, he said.
Talks were also continuing with existing staff regarding staffing levels at the new facility which is still undergoing equipping in order to cater for its projected target of 30,000 patients a year up from 25,000 patients seen annually in the existing A&E unit.
The new facility will consist of a large patient waiting area with a separate paediatric waiting area, a triage area, a three-bay minor treatment area, a 10-bay major treatment area, a two-bay resuscitation room and a treatment and procedures room.
Bernard Allen, Cork North Central Fine Gael TD, who raised the issue of the opening of the new A&E department before the general election, said it was disappointing news for people who would feel let down again by "shambolic management by the HSE".
"When I raised the issue of this new state of the art A&E lying idle before the election, I was told it would open in September - now it looks as if nothing has changed.
"Discussions are ongoing and the new A&E may or may not open in 2007," Mr Allen said.
"If the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, is sincere about tackling the crisis in the health system and in A&E, then she needs to look at what's happening with the Mercy.
"I will be calling on her to make a statement on it when the Dáil resumes."
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed that talks were ongoing with the Mercy University Hospital in relation to the opening of the A&E unit.