The SEHB is deeply concerned and disappointed that the Irish Medical Organisation has scheduled further industrial action for Wednesday 14th August.  Due to the ongoing industrial action by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) at Waterford Regional Hospital it is necessary and regrettable that non-emergency services will be postponed up until and including Friday, 16^th August 2002. This situation will be reviewed on a daily basis. The Board is available for talks at anytime with third party facilitators and retains its flexible approach to this dispute.

The services affected for today and the next three days include 600 outpatient visits and 48 non-emergency theatre procedures.  However emergency cover and all cancer services, including the administration of chemotherapy, breast clinics and outpatient cancer services, will proceed as normal with the co-operation of the NCHDs. Scheduled dialysis and maternity outpatient clinics are also unaffected.  Accident and Emergency, Intensive Care and Coronary Care are also operating as normal.

Should the industrial action be resolved, all services will resume as normal and the South Eastern Health Board will inform the public through the media.

If patients have any queries in relation to services available at Waterford Regional Hospital, they should contact the hospital directly on 051-848000 or consult the South Eastern Health Board's website on www.sehb.ie

Issued by:            Audrey Lambourn, Communications Manager,
                            South Eastern Health Board.
Telephone:          056-7784100 or 086-2215826
E-mail:                 lambourna@sehb.ie