A/E closures in the midwest, is this a political move

[Undercover Reporter]

Hi Folks, I posted the below article to indymedia about the closure of hospitals A/E departments in the midwest and folks there suggested it was a PD's ploy to move the health service into the private sector. The hospitals A/E's rumoured for closure are recieving a hundred patients a day their spokesperson said and dont have people waiting, seems like a good service. Do the well informed folks on politics.ie have any opinion as to what is being planned for the midwest.


A&E's to close in 'best functioning' hospitals, why?

Multiple well functioning A&E's to close across Ireland, why?
Accident and emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and limerick are to close apparently according to media reports (http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-7-18/57780.html)

This is leaked from a report sponsered by the HSE that some consulants are writting up.

Its a bit odd that after this is leaked to the press and the opposition parties starting jumping up and down looking for action and praising these fantastic institutions that the HSE then publishes figures saying that the waiting times in these hospitals in these hospitals are really low.

Are we to imply from this that since the waiting lists are really low that no body needs the accident and emergency department in these hospitals or that they are doing such an exceptional job and are so effecient that no body needs to be waiting on trollies to be admitted.

I wonder aswell is this a ploy by the HSE to break the water with the bad news before the actual consultant's report gets published 'in a few weeks'. When the opposition has come out jumping up and down planning campiagns and nationwide action the wise old people at the HSE will then come in weeks later with a very well thought out and fully explored report explaining why this is actually the best option.

After over exposure to politics in the election, the goings on of the Irish authorities have made me rather cynical.

Any thoughts on why these hospitals are being closed?

[Wolverine]

Closure (or at least downgrading) of public hospitals is of great benefit if you're introducing privatisation. Less competition and all that.

[HP]

Closure (or at least downgrading) of public hospitals is of great benefit if you're introducing privatisation. Less competition and all that.

It also makes privatisation seem like a good idea.... ah sure it couldn't be worse than what we've got now.... etc.

[qtman]

Hi Folks, I posted the below article to indymedia about the closure of hospitals A/E departments in the midwest and folks there suggested it was a PD's ploy to move the health service into the private sector. The hospitals A/E's rumoured for closure are recieving a hundred patients a day their spokesperson said and dont have people waiting, seems like a good service. Do the well informed folks on politics.ie have any opinion as to what is being planned for the midwest.


A&E's to close in 'best functioning' hospitals, why?

Multiple well functioning A&E's to close across Ireland, why?
Accident and emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and limerick are to close apparently according to media reports (http://en.epochtimes.com/news/7-7-18/57780.html)

Do you have any proper sources for this claim?

[Wolverine]

It has been in Clare FM and the Clare Champion - a leaked copy of the Teamwork report has advocated the downgrading of A&E's in the Mid West.

[Limerick Lad]

The rumored closure of St. John's hospital in Limerick would cause chaos at the Mid-West Regional Hospital's already over stretched A&E. It's well known in Limerick if you've a relatively minor medical emergency (suspected fractures, need stitches, etc.) St. Johns is the place to go for speedy treatment. If these patients were added to the more often than not overflowing A&E in the MWRH plus the share of ambulance cases St John's Hospital deal with between 8am and 8pm, the system would collapse completely and to think that there were once plans to close or downgrade Nenagh and Ennis A&Es, with all emergencies being sent to the MWRH, luckily political pressure on the Government scuppered those plans.

http://home.eircom.net/content/irishhea ... s/10764689

[Munion]

Hi Folks, I posted the below article to indymedia

This is the exact point where you lost me.

[Akrasia]

yeah, you only read 'news' posted on sites that start with the word 'freedom'


Closing the A&E in Ennis and Nenagh will cause unnecessary death. That is a fact.

It takes more than an hour to get to limerick hospital from ennis at certain times of the day, and to come from somewhere like Doolin or Lahinch in west clare, you're adding another hour onto the journey.

Ireland doesn't have any such thing as a paramedic. Our ambulance drivers are only EMTs who are not qualified to administer many life saving emergency treatments.

Is there any 'best practise' medical regime in the world that advocates removing emergency treatment facilities from large sections of the population?

It is an absolute disgrace. FF/PD government 'promised' a multi million euro upgrade of the Ennis general hospital before the last election. Now they're planning to cut back on practically all the services. They are trying to remove the Ennis Hospital service by stealth, turning it into nothing more than a large nursing home. (a nursing home with appalling residential facilities)

[Wolverine]

And before anyone comes on discussing centres of excellence and all that here is something to ponder:

1. We are discussing A&E - not advanced brain surgery.
2. If you are going to reroute A&E casualties to Limerick then you should be sure that Limerick can cope - at the moment, it cannot.
3. Promises were made before the election that the Hospital's future was secure.

[qtman]

yeah, you only read 'news' posted on sites that start with the word 'freedom'

Closing the A&E in Ennis and Nenagh will cause unnecessary death. That is a fact.

It takes more than an hour to get to limerick hospital from ennis at certain times of the day, and to come from somewhere like Doolin or Lahinch in west clare, you're adding another hour onto the journey.

What about all the people who needlessly die because of the inefficiencies that prevent us from investing in the best care money can buy? Who speaks for them?