This article is from page 2 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
Early indications that Ennis General Hospital is finally receiving its long awaited CAT scan emerged this week.
The life-saving diagnostic instrument for the Mid Western Regional Hospital Ennis has finally made it on to a Health Service Executive financial projection for this year.
A document seen by The Clare People relating to the executive’s capital plan for 2006 and currently awaiting approval by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, includes the provision of the CAT scanning services for Ennis.
On the capital plan’s approval by the Tánaiste, notification will be given to the network managers regarding the progression of the project.
Once in place, the unit will mean that 850 Clare people will no longer have to travel to Limerick every year for the service.
While the community has already provided funding to purchase the machine, the health services estimate that the running costs of the service will total one million euro per annum.
A radiologist and a number of radiographers, as well as nursing and administer staff will be required to run the service successfully.
It is believed that the scanning service will be located close to the mammography unit.
Consultants in the hospital have sought the CAT unit for more than two years.
Senator Brendan Daly said that the CAT scan is a “vote of confidence and security for the hospital.
“This will dispel any fears that the HSE is not going to up grade the hospital,” the West Clare Senator said.
“It demonstrates the commitment of the HSE to Ennis and the protection of the Accident and Emergency Services.”
The 18 extra beds promised in the third phase of the hospital plans are now likely to be brought forward to the first phase to accommodate the new service, he said.
A CAT scan or CT (computed tomography) uses special x-ray equipment to obtain image data from different angles around the body.
CT imaging is a particularly useful diagnostic tool for displaying with great clarity, several types of tissuelung, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels.
With this specialised equipment, radiologists can more easily diagnose problems such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, trauma and musculoskeletal disorders.
The equipment is also vital for making quick diagnosis of internal bleeding in the case of accidents or other emergencies.