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A HIQA report, following an unannounced inspection of the Mid Western Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, in July, raised health and safety concerns and pointed to a risk to patients of contracting Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI).

These findings also suggest that although some improvement has been achieved since the previous inspection in November, the physical environment, waste management and cleanliness of patient equipment were still not effectively managed and maintained, “to protect service users and reduce the spread of HCAIs”.

Stating that hand hygiene is recognised internationally as the single most important preventative measure in the transmission of HCAIs, the report said that it recognised that the hospital had implemented initiatives to improve hand hygiene compliance by hospital staff.

“However, the authority found that hand hygiene practices were inconsistent with the national standards and this poses a clear risk to patients of contracting a HCAI,” it said.

Based on the findings of this assessment, HIQA said it would, within the next six months, undertake a followup assessment.

In response to the findings, the HSE said the hospital took immediate steps to address the issues and are in the process of implementing an ac- tion plan to address the deficiencies.

Frank Keane, Directorate Manager, Maternal and Child Care, said, “We recognise the important and valuable role of HIQA in promoting safety and quality in the healthcare services and we immediately took action when we received the draft report. We acknowledge the infrastructural challenges of our hospital building and some of the quality improvement plans will take longer to implement, as they will involve changes to the physical environment requiring significant capital funding.

“We recognise the importance of hand hygiene and its significant role in infection control prevention and we have been working to improve our hand hygiene compliance. We provide hand hygiene training to all staff – this is mandatory training and is repeated frequently. We monitor hand hygiene techniques and all non-compliances are reported to the relevant line managers. We will con- tinue to work towards developing a stronger hand hygiene culture across all disciplines to ensure best practice,” he said.

“We are committed to continuing to improve patient safety and the environment for patients and this report has identified evidence of good practice on the wards and in facilities management. We are implementing our action plan to address the deficits identified and build on the many areas where we have demonstrated good practice.”

The maternity hospital serves Clare, Limerick and Tipperary catering for a population of approximately 360,000 people.

In 2012, there were 4,901 live births, 6,648 obstetric admissions and 926 admissions to the neonatal unit.

An unannounced inspection at Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway, also in July, was another “snapshot of the hygiene levels in two areas of the hospital at a point in time”, according to HIQA.

Based on the findings of this assessment, the authority said it would also undertake a follow-up assessment at his HSE West hospital.

The authority said it found that there was evidence of practice that was not compliant with the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in the areas assessed.

It stated that although the patient environment was generally clean in both areas assessed with some exceptions, hygiene management of patient equipment requires active management to mitigate risk to patients of contracting HCAIs. There was evidence of uncontrolled access to hazardous clinical waste material and clinical equipment by failure to use security measures already in place.

“Therefore there was evidence to conclude that some key areas were not effectively managed and maintained to protect patients and reduce the spread of HCAIs,” it said.

SHANNON stands on the cusp of huge opportunity, the chief executive of the local chamber of commerce has said as passenger growth targets for traffic for Clare’s international airport look to be met at year’s end.

Kevin Thompstone was speaking at the chamber’s autumn lunch in the Inn at Dromoland on Thursday that was attended by 200 business executives in the Shannon region and addressed by new airport chief executive, Neil Pakey.

Pointing out that Shannon Airport is ultimately about making connections, between people, places and products, Mr Thompstone said, “Where there is connection there is opportunity; where there is opportunity, things happen, some planned, some unexpected; and where there is opportunity confidence grows, business develops and economies flourish.

“The development of new services from Shannon and the positive atmosphere and volume of people moving in, out and around the airport clearly demonstrate a new confidence and indicate that Shannon is developing and delivering opportunities. Shannon is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the development of a national aviation policy,” he added.

Referring to the Department of Transport’s recent call for inputs to the Integrated Irish Aviation Policy Issues Paper, Mr Thompstone said that Shannon Chamber’s submission focused on a number of areas most relevant to the Chamber mandate, notably: the importance of the Heathrow slots for Shannon connectivity; the need for European connectivity; the criticality of completing the motorway to Galway to open up the Shannon catchment area; the requirement to provide capital allowances for the construction of hangars and the creation of an aviation cluster at Shannon; manpower training support for MRO businesses; an even playing pitch when it comes to support for regional airports; cargo preclearance for Shannon; a trusted traveller programme particularly for the Asian market; and the abolition of the current travel tax.

In commenting on Shannon’s future development, Mr Thompstone referenced the impact other sectors such as engineering, ICT, financial services, medical devices, bio-pharma and logistics are having on Shannon and said he is encouraged that both the Shannon Airport Authority and the Shannon Group are fully aware of the multi-sectoral nature of the Shannon Free Zone.

“Shannon Chamber is delighted to note that Shannon will continue to have a business development team focussed on delivering further investment from existing companies and potential new companies in the Shannon Free Zone. We simply have to build on the legacy that the range of blue chip Irish and foreign-owned companies are creating in Shannon,” Mr Thompstone concluded.

MURALS of Ché Guevara are appearing, disappearing and relocating at different locations in the seaside town of Kilkee this week.

The latest depiction of the iconic print has appeared on the wall of a derelict building close to William’s Building Supplies. The 20-foot black and white creation was painted Fri- day evening on to the building, which was knocked, and the façade rebuilt by the council.

A second offering, on a much smaller scale, has appeared on the wall of the Marine Bar of the Marine Hotel.

The two paintings appeared after Clare County Council removed a 20foot mural of the revolutionary from an alley wall at the west end of Kilkee Beach.

The image was part of the publicity for the annual Ché do Bheatha festival to be held in Kilkee at the end of the month, but the council maintained that there was no permission given for the public work.

Mayor of Kilkee Paddy Collins (FG) said that the town council had decided last April that no more murals would be allowed on that wall.

He said there were local objections to its appearance last week as well as one objection from an American tourist.

“I was not happy about it going up on a public wall. No permission was sought or granted for it to be done,” he told The Clare People .

“You can say it is art but there are also political ramifications. I fear that it would have set a precedent and who knows what could go up in the future,” he added.

In a statement, Clare County Council said members of Kilkee Town Council unanimously agreed that the erection of the mural in question was in clear breach of Section 19 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

“Councillors proposed however, that the mural be retained until after the upcoming festival. This sentiment was relayed by the town clerk, who himself does not have the authority to enforce such a proposal, to the Planning Authority – Clare County Council. Clare County Council had scheduled the removal of the mural for Tuesday and this proceeded as scheduled as the mural in question was in breach of Local Government legislation,” a council spokesperson said.

The first citizen of the town said he had no issue with the new murals as they were on private property.

“As far as I am concerned that is up to the private individual. I wouldn’t dare interfere with what people want to put on their own wall,” said the mayor. “It has all worked out well in the end. The publicity that it as got couldn’t be bought and an the issue has now been resolved hopefully for good.”

A WOMAN found in possession of heroin in Killaloe District Court has been told to stay on the road to recovery or face 12 months in prison.

Mother of two Eileen Fitzgerald was seen by gardai passing heroin and cannabis valued at € 167 to her partner who was in custody in the courthouse on May 1 (2012).

Ms Fitzgerald, with an address at Williamstown Lodge, Fedamore, Limerick, told gardaí she had been put under pressure to pass the drugs.

In June, Ms Fitzgerald also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of heroin at Cnoc Cluain, Ballina on June 23 (2012).

The court heard that gardaí found four wraps of heroin valued at € 220 in the house.

The case had been adjourned to allow for a report from the Probation services. On Wednesday the court heard that Ms Fitzgerald is receiving treatment for drug addiction at the Dóchas women’s centre in Dublin.

Inspector Tom Kennedy said it appears Ms Fitzgerald is on the right road to recovery.

Judge Patrick Durcan said the accused had committed serious offences that could lead to 12 months in prison.

Adjourning the case to November 5, Judge Durcan urged Ms Fitzgerald stay on her current path.

THERE was further success in the National Tidy Towns Competition this week for the East Clare town of Mountshannon and Kilrush in the west.

Both towns received a Gold Medal in their category, which is determined by town size, while Kilrush was also commended in the County Award category.

Mounshannon, which was in the same category as the overall winner, Moynalty, County Meath, was just five points from the top score with a respectable 311 points, while Kilrush had 309 points, just seven pints away from overall victory.

Meanwhile, Kilkee and Tuamgraney both secured Bronze Medals in their respective national categories.

Tulla picked up the County Endeavour Award after it recorded a 5 per cent mark-up on its 2012 score.

West Clare man Sean Lenihan, member of the Miltown Malbay Tidy Towns Committee and an employee of Clare County Council, was one of 10 individuals nationwide to be singled out for their dedication to the Tidy Towns movement and received a Supervalu Tidy Towns Heroes award.

Mayor of Clare Joe Arkins paid tribute to all the county’s Tidy Towns committees and volunteers and expressed his delighted at Ennis and Clare’s longstanding track record of success in the competition.

“I want to acknowledge the positive work that takes place in Ennis and all of Clare’s towns and villages by the hardworking groups who with the support of Clare Local Authorities have made the county a clean and green destination to live in, do business in and visit. This positive contribution is of particular signifi- cance in 2013, the year of The Gathering, during which they have helped to showcase our capital town, county and country in the best possible light,” he said.

The Tidy Towns competition is organised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and sponsored by SuperValu. The SuperValu Tidy Towns competition is open to all areas, big or small, urban or rural, and each are entered under their respective population categories ranging from the smallest, Category A – Under 200, to the largest, Category H – 25,001 and over.

GARDAÍ have warned that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on the streets of Ennis ahead of a teenage disco in the town later this week.

Extra gardaí will be on duty to police the event at the Queen Hotel on Friday night.

A large crowd is expected for the event, which is being held to celebrate the results of the Junior Certificate.

Gardaí in Ennis have issued advice to parents and transport operators ahead of the disco.

Garda Therese Flannery, Juvenile Liaison Officer, explained, “This is the highlight of this particular age group and is very popular amongst the Junior Cert students. A large crowd is expected to attend from the county and bordering counties. To ensure a safe an enjoyable night out for these students we, the Gardaí, have the following advice to parents, transport operators and to the students themselves.”

The event is alcohol free and Gardaí say anyone found to have consumed alcohol or other substances will not be admitted to the disco. Parents are asked to ensure that arrangements are in place for the safe arrival and departure of their children.

Transport operators of busses and taxis have been advised to ensure that no alcohol is allowed on their vehicles and to not allow any person whom they believe to be under the influence of any substance to travel on their vehicles.

Garda Flannery added, “Parents will be contacted by the Gardaí in the event of any student found to be engaged in any negative conduct that requires any Garda intervention. Parents are reminded to discuss these matters with their children beforehand and to insist that they not misbehave. If these simple rules are followed by all concerned it should allow for a most safe and enjoyable evening.”

THE hard-working members of Ennis Tidy Towns were in jubilant form last evening as they celebrated not one but two national victories.

Just hours after being named Ireland’s Tidiest Urban Centre, the county town was also shortlisted for the 2013 Tourism Towns Award, bringing into question last week’s disappoint IBAL results.

The anti-litter league, Irish Business Against Litter, last Monday declared Ennis one of the three most littered towns in the country.

There was a lot of disappointment at the news the town had dropped 13 places since last year on the litter league.

One week on however and the National Tidy Town’s Committee declared the town the Tidiest Urban Centre in the country and third in the overall competition.

In 2005, the town and its team of Tidy Town volunteers had a similar experience when Ennis won the overall national Tidy Towns competition, a week after a particularly damming report from IBAL.

Fáilte Ireland yesterday (Monday) also disagreed with IBAL’s findings and confirmed Ennis has made the shortlist of ten top towns from across the country selected for its 2013 Tourism Towns Award.

The other towns competing for the honours are Cobh, County Cork; Drogheda, County Louth; Kenmare, County Kerry; Kilkenny, County Kilkenny; Letterkenny, County Donegal; Mulranny, County Mayo; Murrisk, County Mayo; Tralee, County Kerry and Westport, County Mayo.

The ten commended towns will now be visited in the autumn by external assessors who will meet with town representatives to further explore and evaluate the town’s commitment to tourism.

TRIBUTES were paid to the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee as the county town was named Ireland’s Tidiest Large Urban Centre for the fifth time in the 55-year history of the National Tidy Towns Competition.

Ennis, which finished joint third place overall, was just two points behind the overall winner – Moynalty, County Meath.

The town, a previous over all winner, had previously won the Large Urban award in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2012.

The town also won the Midwest Regional Award and also retained the Clare County Award for the 15th successive year, while it has received its 13th Gold Medal in as many years.

Speaking following the awards ceremony, Mayor of Ennis Councillor Mary-Coote Ryan (FG) noted that Ennis successes were based on a collaborative approach adopted by community groups, schools, residents associations, businesses and state agencies, in partnership with Ennis Town Council.

“The year-round work that has been put in by the Tidy Towns Committee and the wider community has reaped dividends and Ennis has reaffirmed its status as one of the best performing Tidy Towns participants in the country. Today’s success is testament to the spirit of volunteerism and pride of place that exists in Ennis and as mayor I am honoured to have been present at today’s awards ceremony.”

A delighted chairperson of Ennis Tidy Towns Committee, Áine Purcell, said, “These award successes mark the culmination of many months of hard work by local volunteers and members of the Ennis Tidy Towns Committee to improve the appearance of the town and sur- rounding areas. The volunteers gave freely of their time throughout the summer months to enhance various public areas, to create and maintain flowerbeds, keep streets tidy, cut grass and pick up litter. Retaining the Gold Medal is a massive achievement for everybody concerned.”

Ennis town clerk Leonard Cleary, added, “Tidy Towns not only helps to make Ennis a more attractive place to live in and visit, but it also acts as a springboard for the local community and business sector to promote their town as a visitor destination. It is heartening to see that the standards were extremely high again this year, which is a tribute to everyone involved with the Ennis Tidy Towns effort.”

AS TOWN councils resume this month for their last ever term, and the county council regroups for the last time in its current format, political parties must now begin to look seriously to next summer’s local elections.

The two largest political parties in the county both agree that the county’s hurling success has somewhat delayed the party conventions and the only sport the people of Clare are interested in these weeks is hurling. The blood sport that is local politics will have to wait another day.

That day for the Government party, Fine Gael is most likely November or perhaps late October as the party are anxious to get the process of selecting their candidates started.

Fine Gael currently has its strongest ever membership in Clare County Council, while also dominating the town councils.

There are also some new names being considered as candidates for the party, with the final election candidates being selected at four different conventions – one for each new Municipal Electoral Area.

Each member of more than two years will have a vote at convention.

Regional organiser Jim McMahon explained that a local committee has been set up to consider dates for the conventions, which they will then propose to the party’s National Ex- ecutive Council.

Fianna Fáil, who are promoting a new look party at every opportunity and insisting there is change since Michael Martin took over as leader of the party, must have their new candidates selected soon too if the public are to get to know the new blood ahead of polling day.

Local representatives are to meet with Mr Martin in Galway on Thursday at his request, followed by a second meeting with the National Director of Elelections Michael Moynihan in Ennis.

Fianna Fáil constituency organiser Michael Neylon said the party intends to have five selection conventions in early to mid-October.

As well as having a convention for the new Ennis, Killaloe and Shannon electoral areas, it plans to have two conventions for the West Clare area dividing the selection process between the outgoing Ennistymon and Kilrush Electoral Areas.

“Our intention and desire is to have a female in each area, even if it is not yet a requirement. Gender balance is very important in itself,” said Mr Neylon.”

“We are looking for a balance of youth and experience and we have to get that if we are in the process of reforming.”

For the first time ever, every Fianna Fáil member of a year or more will have a vote at conventions, with sitting councillors also required to go before the members for selection.

SEAMUS Heaney’s love of County Clare that shone through until his untimely death last Friday has been recalled this week by the chairman of Cumman Merriman, Liam Ó Dochartaigh. Heaney made his last visit to the county over under three weeks ago when attending the annual Merriman Summer School in Lisdoonvarna on an occasion when Ó Dochartaigh revealed he had his audience “in the palm of his hand and blew us away”.

The world renowned poet and Nobel laureate was patron of Cumman Merriman for the past five years, following in a list of distinguished patrons that went before him, all of whom were presidents of Ireland – Eamon de Valera, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh and Dr Patrick Hillery.

“On the passing of President Hillery in 2008, Cumann Merriman decided to invite Seamus Heaney, who had translated a large portion of Brian Merriman’s famous poem, ‘Cúirt an Mheán Oíche’ to be its Éarlamh,” revealed Mr Ó Dochartaigh.

“He accepted our invitation willingly thereby honouring the memory and legacy of Brian Merriman and the annual Merriman Summer School far more than we could ever have honoured him,” headed.

“He featured memorably in a number of Merriman Summer Schools but most memorably and most recently, a little over two weeks ago, on Friday evening, August 16, in the Pavilion Theatre in Lisdoonvarna.

“Along with his life-long friend, fellow Northerner, and fellow poet, Michael Longley, he read turn and turn about. The Pavilion Theatre was packed to capacity, with some 400 patrons in attendance to hear them; it was a night to remember, a night of our lives, which will live long in the memory. Both poets’ affinity with County Clare was evident on the night but it can be said that with the reading of the last poem in his own selection, and the final poem of the evening, Seamus Heaney had us in the palm of his hand and blew us away,” continued Mr Ó Dochar- taigh.

In reference to driving along Clare’s Flaggy Shore on a windy day in September or October, Heaney read: ‘You are neither here nor there, A hurry through which known and strange things pass, As big soft buffetings come at the car sideways, And catch the heart off guard and blow it open’.

“But another deadly breeze came in the night,” said Mr Ó Dochartaigh mourning his death, “caught us off guard and swept our hero-poet away. Cumann Merriman mourns the loss of Seamus Heaney but our loss and the nation’s loss is as nothing compared to that of his wife, Marie, and their children, Michael, Christopher and Catherine Ann,” he added.