Carlow Injury Unit must open this year warns Health Minister

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says a new Local Injury Unit in Carlow must open by the end of this year.

She says the HSE needs to plan recruitment carefully to ensure the unit is properly staffed.

But she’s warning the health service can’t keep spending beyond its budget, saying money used to cover overspending now means less available for services next year.

The Minister says the Carlow unit remains a priority, bringing care closer to home and helping to ease pressure on hospital services in Kilkenny.