Doctors in University Hospital Limerick have expressed concerns about \u201ctoxic fumes\u201d being spread due to works outside the new ward.<\/p>\n
They say ongoing works carried out \u201cbeside the air intake\u201d have caused staff and patients to experience symptoms including headaches and irritated sinuses.<\/p>\n
As tar was being laid out, fumes caused an \u201cawful smell\u201d.<\/p>\n
A doctor said the fumes could irritate lungs and \u201cexacerbate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)\u201d.<\/p>\n
The same doctor allegedly called operational services and said he was informed someone \u201chad been up to the ward to check it out and that all is well\u201d.<\/p>\n
Correspondence seen by the Irish Examiner read: \u201cI raised the concern of harmful effects of the fumes, and some of the symptoms that patients and staff have been experiencing but she didn\u2019t say anything in response.”<\/p>\n
He added that crews needed to stop the works until the ventilation \u201cwas sorted\u201d.<\/p>\n
The same doctor said he called operational services and was told someone \u201chad been up to the ward to check it out and that all is well\u201d.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said it had not yet received any reports on the \u201cissue of tar laying\u201d near the new wards.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe issue of health and safety in University Hospital Limerick continues to be a matter of grave concern for the INMO.\u00a0<\/p>\n