Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has raised public concerns about the Cashel Minor Injury Unit with the Minister for Health.
The HSE has confirmed that the appropriate staff mix is now available for full time cover with service as usual from 9a.m. to 5p.m. Mon – Friday.
There were fears locally that services at the Unit were being scaled back or even withdrawn due to difficulties in securing a Doctor that would provide full-time cover at the Unit, which is located at Our Lady’s Hospital
The HSE confirmed that the unit has only been open for 14 out of 22 days in May, and 14 out of 21 days in both June and July.
The Minor Injury Unit was established in January 2007 and is approximately 15 miles from the nearest Emergency Department in Tipperary University Hospital.
80% of clients self-refer to the MIU, the remainder being referrals by GPs. On average 83 clients use this service weekly.
An X- Ray service is also available in Cashel and the Unit can be contacted at 062 70400.
In recent weeks the Minor Injury Unit in Nenagh has had sporadic closures due to insufficient staff.
