This article is from page 4 of the 2012-05-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE new 50-bed unit at Ennis General Hospital is to open at the end of next month.
The exact date to the opening has not been announced at the HSE awaits the arrival of specialist equipment for the unit.
Clare county councillor Tom McNamara (FF) said there was a lot of disappointment that it still wasn’t opened as the builders had handed over the unit last October.
“I cannot see how the delivery is taking so long. We were way under budget (at Ennis General Hospital) last year. Why couldn’t that saving have been used?” he asked.
“We need to put a definite date on it.”
CEO Mid Western Hospital Group, Ann Doherty, said the delay was not a budgetary issue.
“I don’t want to give a date and not meet it,” she said.
“We are well on the way to the opening of our new inpatient accommodation in Ennis. Currently the equipment is on order and delivery schedules are being agreed.”
“As of yet, delivery dates are not confirmed for all items of equipment and therefore an opening date cannot be confirmed. It is anticipated that the unit will be open in the next four to five weeks,” she said.
Ms Doherty said that once she had received definite information about the equipment and its installation she would confirm a date for the opening of the € 15 million extension.
The extension will include two new wards with 50 new beds and ensuites, and facilities for CT scanning, operating theatres, endoscope facilities and day surgery.