Portlaoise hospital downgrade threatened in critical care in memo

A confidential memo drawn up by senior health professions proposes a 'hub-and-spoke' model of hospital care that would see Portlaoise hospital downgraded with the loss of its its intensive care unit.

In the memo seen by the Leinster Express, National Critical Care Programme team members led by Dr Michael Power, propose the reconfiguration ICU care in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

The proposal would see critical care for acutely ill patients delivered at four hospitals - Tallaght, St James, Tullamore and Naas hospitals. The two Dublin hospitals would have Model 4 supraregional and regional specialty status. The Kildare and Laois hospitals would have Model 3 status feeding to the Tallaght and St James.

Portlaoise would be bypassed with services removed. The loss of ICU would have knock on impact for many other Portlaoise services. A&E cannot be provided at hospitals that do not have ICU capability.

A key reason for the change is the low number of ICU patients in Portlaoise. However, neither Naas or Tullamore meet the 200 patient threshold. Only 8 hospitals exceed this threshold.

The memo was prepared in early August following a meeting in June at the HSE's HQ in Dublin.

A source told the Leinster Express that the memo is part of an ongoing effort to undermine Portlaoise hospital.

A consultation process on the future of Portlaoise hospital is due to get underway under the leadership of an independent facilitor appointed by the Minister for Health Simon Harris.

The consultation group will be made of doctors who are National Clinical Leads and HSE officials.

It is tasked with considering stakeholder views on plan which recommends extensive downgrade of Portlaoise hospital.