Cashel based TD Martin Browne says that vigilance must be maintained to ensure the future of the Cashel Minor Injuries Unit.
The HSE yesterday offered assurances that services would resume at the unit when a supervising doctor is recruited.
Deputy Browne says he will be giving the HSE a matter of weeks to resolve the recruitment issue and is to meet with HSE officials again this week to discuss the cause of the closure, the alternative arrangements that will be in place, issues with the recruitment and retention of staff, and the impacts of the closure on local health services such as the Emergency Department in Clonmel.
Cllr Roger Kennedy said yesterday that the previous doctor was being paid at a locum rate of 45 euro per hour, he asked for a rate of €55 per hour but this was refused.
The current HSE GP rate of payment is €80 to €90 per hour according to Cllr Kennedy who said the closure will result in approximately 20 to 50 extra patients per day attending the ED in Clonmel.
