This article is from page 7 of the 2008-01-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
A CLARE politician has accused the HSE of telling lies in its response to a query from Kilrush Town Council.
Outspoken Councillor Deirdre Cul- ligan (Ind) was reacting to a response to a query about the future of Ennis General Hospital and its services, presented to councillors at their De- cember meeting. In the letter the HSE reiterated its statement that the mam- mography unit at Ennis would not be recommissioned.
It said its decision was driven by the “need to provide the best possible clinical practices for patients in the mid-west”.
The letter added that, as a stand- alone unit, Ennis would not have the benefits and protections of a centre of excellence with the associated “checks and balances”.
Cllr Culligan asked, “If the mam- mography machine at Ennis General Hospital is not to be recommissioned, why does the planning application for the re-development of the hospital make provision for a Mammography Unit at the Hospital – with separate offices for two radiologists?
“The HSE refuses to accept that dig- ital mammogram equipment at Ennis would enable women to have the con- venience of having a mammogram in Ennis – and it could be relayed digit- ally for analysis by teams working at
the cancer centre,’ she said.
“It 1s worth noting that Prof Tom Keane, who 1s heading up the cancer programme, has said he accepts the case of localised cancer services sup- porting the cancer centres.”
The town council also asked the HSE what its plans were for the hos- pital. The HSE replied that it had en- gaged an “independent management consultant” to review the services and visit the hospitals in the mid-west. In addition to site visits, a number of fact finding interviews were held with consultant representation from each of the hospitals, senior nurses, GP representatives, ambulance, risk management staff were interviewed.
“Individuals or bodies were encour- aged to forward written submissions in relation to the scope of the current and future service activity for consid- eration. The management consultants are currently finalising their report,” the HSE said.
“The HSE reneged on public under- takings that the Teamwork consult- ants (independent consultants) would consult widely with all stake-holders. SW sleavas nate Mm sl Oe MnO elomm elo yo)lesDemere)ecuseNI tee for just 30 minutes. It is com- pletely untrue to claim Teamwork invited public submissions – no pub- lic notices inviting submissions were advertised,” said Cllr Culligan.
“I don’t agree with that response. I think it is a heap of lies.”