This article is from page 14 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
, it is simple, pa- tients can’t survive without dialysis”. Ms Eustace was reacting to news that there was no longer any room in the Haemodialysis Unit of the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limer- ick, to treat new renal patients who require the life-saving treatment.
While the HSE has sourced tempo- rary additional capacity in Tullam- ore, Tralee and Galway to accom- modate the immediate needs of new renal dialysis patients from Clare, Ms Eustace said this means long, stressful journeys for already very ill patients.
Ms Eustace explained that as many as 30 people in Clare are receiving dialysis three times a week.
For many pre-dialysis patients who will eventually need the service, it will mean needless hours on the
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The Irish Kidney Association has suggested that the dialysis unit in Tullamore be moved to Limerick When the hospital closes and it be- comes obsolete.
A new 17-station dialysis unit has already been accounted for in Tul- lamore’s new hospital.
The CEO of the Irish Kidney As- sociation has met with the HSE to discuss moving the 10 modern ma- chines to Limerick to raise the dialy- sis station capacity there almost 1m-
mediately from 11 to 21. The Health Service Executive promised to con- sider the proposal.
“The National Hospitals Office (NHO) has already had initial dis- cussions with the renal unit in Tul- lamore in relation to this matter and will evaluate transferring this unit once it is freed up in Tullamore,” a spokesperson for the HSE said.
He said the NHO had met with re- nal unit personnel in Limerick in re- lation to the current capacity issues at the unit.
“Several options have been ex- plored with the HSE and discussions are ongoing with a view to finding a solution that provides patients with the most appropriate access to the Tos MTA Lew MLO enict- 9 AVA
“The medium-term plan is to in- crease the number of dialysis stations in Limerick from 11 to 25.
“This will require additional capi- tal infrastructure and proposals are being considered as part as the HSE Capital Plan,’ the spokesman con- cluded.