Taoiseach commits to following the recommendations of HIQA report on visit to Tipperary
The Taoiseach made his comments on a visit to Nenagh to support Cllr Phyll Bugler
Taoiseach Simon Harris has committed to following the recommendations of a report on health services in the midwest.
HIQA is currently carrying out a review of midwest services, including examining the need for a second emergency department in the region.
On a visit to Nenagh last Friday to support General Election candidate Phyll Bugler, the Taoiseach told the Tipperary Star that he has an “open mind” on a second ED.
“And what I am absolutely committing to is if I’m back in Government, if I am Taoiseach, if Fine Gael is back in Government, if Phyll Bugler is a TD we will follow the recommendations of that HIQA report. And if it says open a second ED in the midwest, we will absolutely do that and in the lifetime of the next government,” said the Taoiseach.
The Tipperary Star asked the Taoiseach what he would say to people in the area who are afraid to go to hospital.
The Taoiseach said he welcomed investment in Nenagh Hospital and recently spoke with someone around progress in the ophthalmology department.
Taoiseach Harris said that he knows that there are a lot of concerns around issues at the emergency department but the goal is to fix the hospital.
“I think there are very significant concerns around the health service in the midwest, we are expanding health services in the midwest, we are expanding capacity at University Hospital Limerick, that is a good thing to do. We are putting more money into it but I’m not sure that is enough in and of itself and that’s why we have asked HIQA to do an evaluation to see if there is a need for a second emergency department in the midwest," said the Taoiseach.
Cllr Bugler said that if someone is sick, they should go to the hospital.
“Like everyone, I suppose UL has undergone a change of management and other changes. I wouldn’t like anyone to be frightened to go to hospital because if they are ill they do need to go to hospital.
“ I suppose, we just need to work on UL and get the problems at the ED sorted out as soon as possible. Once you get into University Hospital Limerick the care, especially the cancer care is excellent,” said Cllr Bugler.
We asked the Taoiseach and Cllr Bugler to make a comment on the use of the Community Nursing Unit in Nenagh as a step-down facility and he responded:
“I know there has been a lot of concern over this because finally, finally finally we saw real investment in a community nursing service in Nenagh and there is great excitement around that. I suppose there was a decision made to use that for a brief time to assist with safety issues in the midwest health service.
“I want to see that time kept as short as obviously possible and that will be my priority.”
Cllr Bugler said she agreed with the Taoiseach.
“We have had many meetings about the CNU and I can see the concerns from the people at St Conlon’s Road Nursing Home and I have committed that this period as a step-down will be as short as possible. And I would agree with Simon that if we do need another ED department in the midwest,” said Cllr Bugler.