Future of Louth Hospital services raised in Dáil
SINN FEIN TD BLASTS HSE AND HEALTH MINISTER
THE ISSUE of the future of services at the Louth County Hospital has been raised in the Dáil in a week where the provision of healthcare topped the political agenda.
Sinn Fein TD Gerry Adams last Thursday blasted the HSE for not being able to say, four days before the rotation of junior doctors' contracts which took place on Monday, which services would be affected.
Mr. Adams said: 'If hospital services are stripped away by the HSE, local budgets are reduced and insufficient junior doctors are employed to meet health needs, then risk issues will inevitably arise. The fault lies with the HSE and the health minister.
'Under Fianna Fáil and now, under Labour and Fine Gael, the same tactics are being used to downgrade local hospitals.
'Safe hospitals require proper investment. That means putting money into the Louth County and Our Lady's in Navan and other hospitals.
' The claim by the HSE Chief Executive Cathal Magee that smaller hospitals will not be closed, and their importance will not be reduced, flies in the face of decisions currently being taken to close accident and emergency units.'
In addition, Labour TD for Louth, Gerald Nash, asked a parliamentary question of health minister, Dr. James Reilly, regarding his 'plans for provision of services at the Louth County Hospital'.
In a written reply, Minister Reilly said: ' There is particular focus on diagnostic and day service provision in Louth County Hospital, with a number of services currently provided in the hospital including an elderly day assessment service which is receiving nine new referrals weekly, elective endoscopy, medical, surgical, orthopaedic and antenatal outpatient clinics.
' The services also include radiology, laboratory and gynaecology day services and colposcopy screening.
' The local emergency department sees 88% of patients under 35 minutes and the average length of stay is less than 1 hour. Daily attendances average at between 25-30 patients.'
Minister Reilly listed services already provided at the Louth, including the phased opening of stroke rehab beds.
He said: 'Project teams have been established to progress with the development of plans for both the orthopaedic rehabilitation and medical palliative in-patient beds.
'A phased opening of 10 palliative care beds is due later this year.'
- Anne CAMPBELL annecampbell@argus.ie
