This article is from page 11 of the 2012-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A NEW Ennis General Hospital Committee is needed to raise issues relating to health in the county and keep the need for investment in Clare’s health services top of the agenda.
That was the message that came from a special meeting of Clare County Council called to discuss the ailing health services in the midwest region.
Councillors were unanimous in their call for the Minister for Health to provide necessary finances to recruit essential frontline staff for the HSE West.
The councillors were careful to add that Ennis General Hospital stayed within its budget for the last number of years, unlike other hospitals in the HSE West, and were punished for its competency with further cuts to its budgets.
In a letter to the Minister the councillors said, “Recognising that Ennis General Hospital has lived within its budget, it should not be cut in the upcoming budget.”
In the hour-long meeting, members of the council pointed to the dangers of staff shortages in frontline services and weaknesses within different services in Clare.
“We need a service for people under 65 years of age who have strokes in Clare,” Cllr Tom McNamara (FF).
He also raised concerns about the absenteeism figure of 12 per cent at Ennis General Hospital. A former nurse, he said the staff were under so much pressure due to staff shortages and over work that they were getting sick.
Cllr Pat Keane (FF) agreed stating the number of absenteeism would increase with the pressure.
“We have a new building here that we campaigned for for years and we can’t open it due to lack of staff,” he said.
Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said, “Whatever we compromise for the sake of finance it should not be health.
“It is unacceptable to expect a nurse to care for 22 patients,” he added referring to The Clare People’s lead story two weeks ago.
Stating that pressure needed to be put on the health policy makers, Cllr PJ Kelly (FF) said it had slipped from the agenda since the demise of the hospital committee.
Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) agreed that as the driving force behind the committee Peadar McNamara had passed away, it had lost momentum.
He suggested that a new committee be formed.