Month: March 2012

SENIOR staff at the Maternity Hospital Limerick are hopeful that the looming staffing crisis will be averted as the HSE promises to fill 16. 5 midwifery positions vacated by recent retirements.

Consultant obstetrician Gerry Burke said he and his colleagues are “delighted that the 16. 5 WTE mid wives are going to be replaced, but he said that for the hospital to operate as safely as possible, the nine additional midwives lost to retirement before the scheme and through death must also be replaced.

“We also need a sensible flexible attitude when it comes to maternity leave,” he said.

There are currently 31 midwives absent due to maternity leave, and seven due to long-term illness.

As the majority of staff in the hospital are females, many in their thirties, Dr Burke said maternity leave is inevitable and the HSE must be flexible when dealing with the issues.

“I do not think it is a safe way to practice to have to rely on locums,” he said.

He said he was now satisfied that the local HSE management understood the issues and it was a work in progress.

Last week the HSE announces that it would be filling 123 essential posts in the HSE West in the area of midwifery, neonatal care and intensive care.

Dr Burke said he hopes to see the new appointments in place in the next two months.

“The matter is now being taking seriously from the Minister down. They are working hard to try to make it right,” he said, adding he was particularly grateful to Clare Deputy Joe Carey (FG) who had taken a lot of interest in the matter.

Deputy Carey, whose young family availed of the hospital’s services in the last few weeks, said that maternity-staffing levels must be maintained, regardless of any current recruitment embargoes.

“I welcome the fact that HSE management has put a plan in place to provide for the full replacement of the 16. 5 WTEs that will leave at the end of the month. I note that Dr Burke and others have expressed their satisfaction with this approach, and that once this matter is resolved, that management will also examine solutions to the other 31 absent staff members.”

A FORMER primary school teacher used a suitcase lined with tinfoil in an attempt to steal goods from a supermarket in Ennis, a court has heard. Security staff at Dunnes Stores called gardaí after Mao Kimbadi was caught in possession of the suitcase on December 4 (2011).

Ennis District Court was told that the suitcase had been lined with tinfoil in an attempt to avoid the detection of security devices in the store.

On Tuesday, Kimbadi (39), with an address 12 Linnane’s Terrace, Kilrush Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to having the suitcase with the intention that it could be used in the course of or in connection with a theft.

Kimbadi, whom the court heard was previously a primary school teacher in the Democratic Republic (DR) of the Congo, also pleaded guilty to charges of theft and handling stolen property.

Insp John Galvin told the court that two men were seen breaking into cars in the College Green area of Ennis on November 13 (2011).

He said when gardai arrived they found Kimbadi and another man outside 86 College Green in possession of a gold pocket watch and 50 US dollars that had been taken from a car. Insp Galvin said gardaí were making enquires at Ennis National school on November 14 (2011) when they noticed two men acting suspiciously in the bushes backing onto Linnane’s Terrace on Kilrush Road.

When gardaí approached the area they discovered a Packard Bell computer monitor, a Compaq hard drive and keyboard, a Sony Playstation 2 and controls, 30 Playstation 2 games and a black bomber jacket with the Audi insignia.

Insp Galvin told the court that Kimbadi admitted to gardai that he knew the goods had been stolen.

Kimbadi was also charged with stealing a bottle of Cercutti 1881 Perfume from Boots Chemist on December 10 (2011).

Solicitor Tara Godfrey said her client, a father of two, moved to Ennis from DR Congo 10 years ago to seek political asylum. She said he worked in a number of jobs including as a chef’s assistant before becoming unemployed when the recession hit two years ago.

Ms Godfrey said the loss of his job coupled with a period of homelessness saw her client engage in heroin use and “petty theft”. She asked the court that if her client was sent to prison a requirement to receive residential treatment should be included as part the sentence.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed consecutive sentences totalling 14 months. He backdated all sentences to January 11, 2012.

A WOMAN “feared for her life” when she caused € 800 worth of damage to a car in Ennis, a court has heard.

At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Caroline Nolan (38) with an address at 9 Gus Murphy’s Flats, Mill Road, Ennis and 5 Lios na Rí Oranmore, Co Galway pleaded guilty to charges of theft and criminal damage.

The court heard that Gardaí received a report on February 27 (2012) that both the front and rear windscreen had been damaged on the Mill Road, Ennis.

Solicitor John Casey explained that her client had believed that the car belonged to another person.

He said that on the night in question, Nolan had been chased by a person carrying a knife.

He said, “She thought the car belonged to him. She was in fear of her life”.

Garda Michael Daniels, who gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution, acknowledged that the accused had feared for her life. He said the damage caused to the car amounted to € 812 euros.

Nolan also pleaded guilty to stealing a full keg of Tuborg Beer from Considine’s Bar, Parnell Street, Ennis on March 20 (2011). The keg was valued at € 110. The court heard that Gardaí found Nolan rolling the keg along the street.

Mr Casey said his client had been homeless at the time and could only sleep by drinking alcohol. “It was a foolish thing to do”, he added.

He said that drink was an escape for his client and that while she has made positive strides in addressing her problems, “she still battles with drink”.

He told the court that an involvement with the probation and welfare services would be of benefit to her. Mr Casey said Nolan, who is in receipt of social welfare, would need “considerable time” to pay back the cost of damage to the car. The court was told that the accused has two previous convictions including a fine imposed for cruelty to children.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy ordered the preparation of a report by the probation and welfare services. He remanded Nolan on continuing bail to appear again in court on May 2. He fixed bail at 200 euros.

A MAN facing charges on alleged drugs possession has been granted bail.

Trevor Gargan (31) with an address at 179 Cregayn Street, Belfast, Antrim, Bt6 8NI, appeared at Ennis District Court last Tuesday.

According to court documents, it is alleged that Gargan was in possession of cannabis for the purposes of selling or otherwise supply to another at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday, February 22.

Gargan is also charged with the unlawful possession of a controlled drug, to wit, cannabis, at Ballymaconna, Barefield on Wednesday February 22.

Insp John Galvin told the court that the State had no objection to bail of € 10,000.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy fixed bail and ordered that the full amount be lodged. Solicitor John Casey said that € 10,000 had been lodged with the court.

Gargan was granted bail subject to a number of conditions.

The court ordered that he must reside at 3 Figile Manor, Clonbullogue, Co Offaly and sign on daily at Edenderry Garda Station.

Gargan was also ordered to surrender his passport and undertake not to apply for another passport. Insp Galvin said that the State were awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Judge McCarthy remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail to appear at Ennis District Court on April 4 for DPP’s directions.

A MEMBER of the Labour Party has branded the Government’s handling of household charge as an “absolute mess”.

Councillor Paul O’Shea also claimed it was “absurd” that the Fine Gael / Labour Government had not enlisted the help of An Post in allowing people to pay the charge.

He raised the matter in a motion submitted at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council. Cllr O’Shea urged the council to provide information to the public on the charge and provide clarity on who is exempt from it.

According to national statistics, just over eight per cent of household- ers had paid a portion of the charge as of the end of February.

Cllr O’Shea said not enough information had been provided to people. “I think its an absolute mess the way this has been handled,” he said.

He urged the council to write to the Minster for Environment Heritage and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to highlight their concerns.

The Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind), described the charge as “badly thought out”. Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) said people should be allowed to pay € 2 a week off the cost of the charge. Cllr Peter Considine (FF) said the implementation of the charge had been “diabolically badly handled”. However he added that the “harsh reality is that it is now the law of the land”.

A WALL of fame celebrating local musicians should be erected in Ennis, a meeting has heard.

The suggestion was put forward by Cllr Frankie Neylon (Ind) following a motion submitted by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) at yesterday’s meeting of Ennis Town Council.

Cllr Howard called on the council to erect name plaques to recognise the role of contributors to the musical life of Ennis.

She said unsung heroes such as Micho Ball and Flan McMahon had made enormous contributions to cultural life in Ennis.

Cllr Neylon suggested that a wall bearing the names of musicians could be constructed in the grounds of Waterpark House. Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that an area along the new inner relief road near Madden’s Furniture, formerly Paddy Cons Hall, would be a suitable site.

However Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) cautioned against the proposal. He said the council would be opening a “hornet’s nest” if it started listing the names of local musicians. He told the meeting that there would be a danger that someone could be left out.

Town manager Ger Dollard acknowledged the risk of leaving someone out from the process.

Cllr Brennan recalled the popularity of the bands and singers that used to perform in Paddy Con’s Hall and other venues in the sixties and seventies.

“The first singing pub in Ennis was McEvoys. I’d say all the groups in town sang in McEvoys.”

Town Clerk Leonard Cleary said the contribution to of musicians has promoted by groups such as Clare Tourism Forum, Promote Ennis and Shannon Development.

A STATE-OF-THE-ART dementia unit, which was refurbished two years ago by the HSE at a cost of almost quarter of a million euro, remains closed to the county’s 1,300 Alzheimer’s patients.

While HSE management said it is committed to the opening of the unit, staffing issues mean the unit on the grounds of St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis, is likely to remain closed for the near future.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are a growing issue within the Clare health services.

Between January and October last year, there were 303 Alzheimer’s patients being care for by the older people’s psychiatric team in the county.

However, there are a further 380 new patients referred to the service but still not seen.

The 15-bed specialised unit in St Joseph’s was designed to provide 13 residential beds to seriously ill patients, as well as two respite care beds.

These patients are currently being cared for at Cappahard Lodge, Ennis, while the unopened Alzheimer’s unit at St Joseph’s is being used as a temporary home for patients displaced due to essential fire and safety upgrades at the hospital.

Bernard Gloster, Area Manager Mid West PCCC, said, “It is expected that these (fire and safety) works will be completed by June 30, 2012 and, following the final transfer of the older persons back to the units in St Joseph’s Hospital, unit 5 (the new Alzheimer’s unit) will be available to the Mental Health Services.”

The health manager admits, however, that staffing the unit will pose difficulties.

“It will be a challenge for the Mental Health Services to staff this specific dementia unit from within the reduced staffing resource available to the service following the retirement of a substantial number of nurses from the service.

“However, management of the Clare Mental Health Service will endeavour to reorganise its service delivery to enable this dementia unit to be utilised for dementia patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, the HSE plans to remove all patients from Gort Glas to other units within the mental health services and in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland (ASI) build a dementia-specific day centre and the Psychiatry of Old Age Outpatient Service on the site.

“The project is on the HSE Capital Plan for 2012. Currently, the design and costings are being examined and decisions are pending to ensure that the project progresses within the funding resources available to the ASI and the HSE,” said Mr Gloster.

Clare representative on the HSE West Forum, Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) expressed his fears that the release of staff from the closure of Gort Glass and the downgrading of the HSE facility at Dalganish, Shannon, will not be sufficient to open the Alzheimer’s unit in Ennis.

“The opening of the residential and day-care service has to be a priority,” he said.

PATIENTS and visitors to the Mid West Regional hospitals in Ennis and Limerick will have to leave the hospital campuses and walk to the roadside if they plan to light up.

From May 1, all hospitals in the midwest, including the maternity hospital, will become smoke-free, following in the footsteps of other HSE West hospitals.

Sister hospitals in Galway have been smoke-free for more than two weeks, although not everyone is a fan of the new regulations that must be imposed in all Irish hospitals by 2015.

Chairman of the HSE West, Pádraig Conneely (FG) asked if the HSE had gone a step too far by banning smoking on all hospital campuses.

“Is it not a far walk all the way down to the road?” he asked, referring to the tree-lined avenue of Merlin Park Hospital, Galway, where last week’s meeting of the HSE West took place.

The Galway councillor also raised unease at the sight of patients in their pyjamas and dressing gowns standing on the side of the main road, out- side the walls of the University College Hospital, Galway.

He asked who would be responsible if a passing car knocked one of these patients down.

The HSE West chairman also raised concerns about policing the new ban. “How are you going to stop people outside accident and emergency in an inebriated state who are smoking, or a person dealing with a tragedy who wants to go outside to smoke,” he said.

Clare representative to the HSE West Forum, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said he agreed with the policy, but raised concerns about hospitals like the Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis, which has a psychiatric unit. “It is more than a dependency for people with psychiatric problems,’ he said.

He asked if the HSE now plans to extend the practice of allowing unhealthy behaviour on campus, by ceasing to sell sugary foods in its hospital shops, given the rise in typetwo diabetes.

Fellow Clare representative Cllr Tony Mulqueen (FG) asked about the size of the hospital campus and was told it was a 150-acre site.

“If there were 1,5000 acres, would you have the same rules? Where does it stop?” he asked.

Regional Director of Operations HSE West John Hennessy said it was “somewhat of an anomaly if we have banned cigarettes in pubs and public places and allow them on hospital grounds. I just can’t see us going back on an inevitable move.”

Tony Canavan, General Manager, Galway Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC), HSE West, added that “in a small number of cases, patients will be allowed to smoke in consultation with their doctor.”

JUST one nurse has been provided to the Clare Mental Health Services under the € 35 million ringfenced in the budget for development of community mental health services.

According to a Clare member of the HSE West Forum, the money that was earmarked for recruitment within the under-resourced service has provided just one staff nurse to the child and adolescence psychiatric service in the county.

Cllr Tom McNamara (FF) has called for more services in Clare to be supported from the funding.

Minister of State, with responsibility for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch said the funding would primarily be used to strengthen community mental health teams in both adult and children’s mental health services.

Over 400 additional staff are to be recruited to support initiatives under this package. It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with the scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes currently being developed.

It is understood that the € 35 million is to be released over three years.

Cllr McNamara said that he was disappointed to learn that to date just one appointment has been made in Clare under the scheme.

FIFTY new part-time jobs are to be created in Clare over the next 12 months as part of an almost nationwide roll-out of over 500 jobs in the care system that have been announced by Comfort Keepers Home Care.

Part-time carers are to be appointed in 15 counties, while in Clare there will also be one new full-time appointment to the Comfort Keepers service, which is expected to come on stream over the next couple of months.

Comfort Keepers is an Irish-owned family-run home care provider that helps people to live independent dignified lives in the comfort of their own homes. Their carers provide high-quality, person-centered care to people in the community when daily tasks become too difficult to manage alone.

They are the only home care provider to be awarded ISO 9001, the Healthmark and the Q Mark for quality and excellence in its service provision.

“We are delighted that our focus on the provision of quality home care has led to the continued expansion of Comfort Keepers in Clare,” said managing director, Bob Power this week.

“It is also huge boost of confidence for us as an Irish-owned, family-run business to be able to create this level of employment in the county over the next 12 months.

“Home care is a very personal type of care and we seek carers and management staff who have caring and empathetic instincts. These are the type of people who make great carers and help people remain independent and happy at home,” he added.

The Comfort Keepers in Clare service is co-ordinated from a Limerick office that also administers a similar service in Tipperary, with Joanne Burke and Niamh Landy being the manager and coordinator of the services in the county.