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DOCTORS in Clare have reported an increase in the numbers coming to them seeking a second opinion, following the two recent misdiagno- sis at Ennis General Hospital.

Last week the Health Service Exec- utive issued a statement urging peo-

ple who are concerned about tests carried out at Ennis General Hospital to contact their local GP and arrange for a new test to be carried out.

One west Clare doctor believes that while there is concern among the pa- tients she is seeing, there is faith in Ennis General Hospital.

“T have had some people 1n to me in

the last week who are worried and if they are worried then they have the right to be re-tested,”’ said the doctor, who asked not to be identified. ‘There 1s concern in the area, but I would stop short of saying that there is panic. The key thing 1s, if people are not sure then the best thing for them to do is get it checked again, for

peace of mind if nothing else.”

However, Ennistymon based doc- tor, Gerry Wheeler said that to date, he has not been contacted by anyone concerning a re-test.

“The HSE sent around a form last week telling anyone who is unsure or who has concerns over a test to have a recheck. They also advised anyone

in that situation to contact their local GP,’ he said.

“To date however, I have not been contacted by anyone from the area who has concerns. I don’t know whether that means that no one in this area has worries over the situa- tion or not but factually, no-one has contacted me so far.”

THE ACHIEVEMENTS of young people who took up the challenge of getting an education will be cel- ebrated this week at a special awards ceremony in Spanish Point.

The Clare VEC Youthreach Awards night, which takes place every three years, will be held in the Armada Hotel on October 2 at 7pm and eve- ryone is invited.

A lucky thirteen sucessful students will be presented with their awards in areas ranging from Applied Leav- ing Certificate studies to Food and Nutrition, Interpersonal Skills and modules such as Maths and English.

The Youthreach Programme was set up in Ennistymon in 1990 in the Community centre and from there moved to a vacant office and work

space in a local factory, Data Display in 1992.

When the VTOS programme fin- ished in the old vocational school in Milltown Malbay in June 1996, the Youthreach programme moved from Ennistymon into the rent-free build- ing in Miltown Malbay.

The Ennistymon/Doolin/Lidoon- varna students were then transported by bus to the centre. Students also came from Miltown Malbay, Quilty and Mullagh.

And since then, dozens of young people who have either left school early or decided to pursue a differ- ent route than that of the standard secondary school education have availed of learning and training op- portunities with Youthreach.

‘As well as the academic subjects we offer vocational training a sup-

port through jobs skills training, work experience interview skills and personal development,’ said co-ord1- nator, Josephine Dempsey.

Young people usually come to Youthreach from school but some have ventured out into the world of work and decided to return to im- prove their abilities and qualifica- tions and in turn, their job opportu- nities.

As well as being helped to find their niche by the scheme’s two career guidance teachers, the young peo- ple are catered for in small classes, working at their own level.

“We have very good working rela- tionships with employers and schools in the area, so we can also give sup- port once they have completed their studies and training and we track what is happening with the students

when they leave,” said Josephine.

A glance at the results of all that hard work for this year’s Youthreach graduates shows that the plan works. All have either found employment or are continuing their studies, with one student gone on to college.

“We usually have a 100 per cent take-up with people either finding employment or going on to further education,” said Josephine.

The awards night will be for those students who completed their sub- jects in 2007 and 2008.

Anyone who would like further information about the opportunities available with Youthreach or any of the VEC courses can get details in the Adult Education handbook from libraries or post offices or by email from yrmilltownmalbay@eircom. ate

A BID to promote awareness of breast cancer lies behind the Create A Cure event in the West County Hotel on Friday, October 10.

A cheese and wine reception will be followed by a pottery and paint- ing session where participants will craft their own ceramic design.

The ladies-only event continues with music courtesy of the band Happy Days. Vouchers and goodie bags will also be handed out on the pubrea al

But the main reason for putting on

the event, as outlined by organiser Siobhan Tierney, is to raise money for breast cancer charities in Ireland and promote awareness of the dis- ease.

“IT have not been directly affected by cancer, but everyone knows some- body that has,” said Siobhan. She continues, “Awareness was the main reason for doing it, more so than rais- ing the money. The more women that are aware, the better. Early detection is hugely important.”

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Ireland after non- melanomatous skin cancer. Accord-

ing to Breast Cancer Ireland, Irish statistics note that breast cancer ac- counts for 28 per cent of all cancers in women in Ireland, with an average of 1726 new diagnosis each year.

Organisations like the Irish Cancer Society and Breast Cancer Ireland are among those working to high- light the issue.

“TI think the kind of work they do is amazing and after the event last year we wanted to support them again”, said Siobhan

Last year’s Create A Cure event attracted 160 people and Siobhan is hoping 250 people will be attendance

in the West County next Friday.

“It was very popular we got great sponsorship from local businesses last year, everyone supported us. I think there was almost €30 worth of vouchers given to each attendee.

“It was good fun last year. There were over 100 women in the room. I think there were only two men, the band.

“Tt was a bit like a Joe Dolan con- cert. It’s a really great, different night out for women”.

Tickets for the event cost €30 and are available from the Craft Box, Quin Road, Business Park.

NURSES’ representatives at Ennis General Hospital have welcomed the announcement of an independent re- view of services at the hospital.

In a statement the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) said they wel- comed the decision by Minster for Health Mary Harney to proceed with an independent review of services at the hospital to be undertaken by the Health Information and Quality Au-

thority (HIQA).

The organisation stated, ““Members of the INO at the hospital have for many years advocated on behalf of patients in relation to infection con- trol risks, overcrowding, understaff- ing and non-replacement of consult- ant posts.

‘In one instance in the Emergency Department at the hospital, it took the former Mid Western Health Board and the HSE almost five years to appoint one additional nurse to

this department, in order to cope with the demands of this service in a safer environment.”

The INO also claimed that, “at meetings held at the hospital in the last four to five years, nurses were frustrated and upset that their con- cerns on the clinical governance environment for patients were not receiving the appropriate response from the HSE.

‘Nurses believe that it is also nec- essary to review the episode of care

of Ms Ann Moriarty at St James’ Hospital, Dublin in particular, prior to her discharge from a Centre of Ex- oI Serene

INO Industrial Relation’s Officer Mary Fogarty said she anticipates that the review will address concerns at Ennis General Hospital, long held by members of the nursing staff.

“Our members welcome the inde- pendent review by HIQA and look forward to fully co-operating with it,’ said Ms Fogarty.

She added, “Members anticipate that this review will finally, throw light on the severe understaffing, un- der resourcing and concerns on pa- tient safety and outcomes that have prevailed for too long at the hospi- Ne

“Our members look forward to the opportunity to identify to HIQA their requirements for the hospital to ensure that clinical governance is central in the delivery of safe care to OTB elem

A STUDENT from Spanish Point is set to embark on a massive cycle trip through the United States in two weeks time in an effort to raise much needed funds for charity.

Cathal Sexton, a sixth year stu- dent at the Ennistymon Vocational School, is one of six individuals to make-up Team Ireland which will be headed by Clare hurler Tony Griffin.

And, on Sunday October 5, he has organised a massive poker drive in an effort to help in his fundraising. The poker competition goes ahead in Miltown Malbay at the Player’s Club with a start time of 6.30pm and will be run by the county’s top poker or- ganiser, Michael Talty.

“We’re hoping to get upwards of 40 players from the West Clare area to come out and play,” says Cathal. “We’re also expecting some players from beyond the area to get involved as well. It’s all for a good cause and players of all levels are welcome.” Last year, Cathal raised in excess of €2,000 for the Tony Griffin Founda- tion, which provides funding to or- ganisations to help in the fight against and treatment of cancer. He decided to get involved with the foundation based on his strong interest in cy- cling. “I cycled the final leg of Tony’s

trip last summer,” he explains. “Basi- cally that went from Dublin to Ennis and I was the youngest of the cyclists on that trip. After that, Tony invited me to Austin, Texas to meet Lance Armstrong when he went over last October.”

Cathal will now return to Austin after he sets off on his epic cycle on October 14. The cycle begins in Halifax in the eastern side of Canada and will take in 4,300 kilometres across the great American continent before the group arrive in Texas two weeks later. The cycle is done in a re- lay format and every rider will sit in the saddle for six hours a day for the duration of the trip.

“Tt’s getting closer all the time so | eeetmolercansbeNbercamKOmexclmne. Coli em A 100t out a doubt it’s going to be tough, but I’ve been training hard for the past few months. Hopefully that will pay 0) 5

Aside from the upcoming poker drive, his school has also helped fun- draise with school events that have yielded €600 for the Tony Griffin Foundation. “That’s been a huge help. I also head out on the bike in the evening and cycle about looking for sponsorship from people around the area. Most of them have already heard of the foundation and they’re enthusiastic about it.”

THE heartbreaking circumstances surrounding the deaths of a brother and sister within ten weeks of each other earlier this year have been re- called at inquests into their deaths.

Philip Madden (18) died on Janu- ary 13 last, while his sister Rachel (17) died on March 22, at the family home in Clonlara.

The Coroner’s Court in Ennis last week heard that their father Michael discovered both bodies at the back of the home. In his deposition, Michael

Madden said that his son Philip had been drinking and arrived home at around 9.30pm on January 13 last.

After a short while, his son went out the back of the house. When he didn’t return, the father went out to see where he was and found him hanging. He tried mouth to mouth resuscitation, but his son did not respond and was pronounced dead some time later that night.

The inquest heard that Philip’s sister Rachel went into Limerick city with a friend on March 22 last. She arrived home at 12.45pm. The inquest heard

that she seemed to be very happy in herself. At around 2.40pm, her father went out to feed rabbits in the back yard and saw Rachel hanging.

The inquest was told that Rachel’s sister found a note in her bedroom, dated March 22.

An autopsy carried out on Philip’s body showed elevated levels of alco- hol.

Pathologist Dr Vouneen Healy, who carried out an autopsy on Rachel’s body, said no alcohol or drugs were ClaKererere

Coroner Isobel O’Dea said she

would record open verdicts in both cases, 1n accordance with the medi- cal evidence.

She noted that the level of alco- hol in Philip’s system was elevated “which may or may not have affected his decision”.

She said she was conscious of the fact that Rachel had undergone coun- seling and had gone through a stress- ful time.

‘As a parent, I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose two children in such sad circumstances in such a short space of time,” she said.

Meanwhile, the mayor of Clare has said that the announcement of an in- dependent investigation into the op- eration of services at Ennis General Hospital is “insufficient on its own to restore public confidence in the health system”.

Councillor Madeleine — Taylor- Quinn said that “only corrective ac- tion in areas of deficiencies will help restore that confidence, which has

been shattered”.

The mayor said that an investiga- tion into the specific cases of misd1- agnosis was absolutely essential. She added that the families of the patients deserved and were entitled to the full facts of what went wrong.

Mayor Taylor-Quinn stressed that the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA) review of serv- ices at Ennis General Hospital must take account of recent history.

“Will the HSE, its predecessor the Health Board, and the Department of Health and Children firstly acknowI- edge their negligence in lack of sup- port for the hospital over the last 20 years when 40 beds were withdrawn from the hospital? Secondly, will they acknowledge that for that pe- riod of time they have continuously downgraded Ennis General Hospital by stealth? And thirdly will they ac- cept that had they responded posi- tively to the repeated concerns raised by the Hospital Action Committee and public representatives that the cases of misdiagnosis may not have occurred at Ennis General Hospi- tal?” she asked.

Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen has given a guarded welcome to the an- nouncement of a HIQA review of

services at Ennis General Hospital. He warned that this review “must not be used to progress the Agenda of ending 24/7 accident and emergency services at the hospital.

“T hope that this review will lead to badly needed improvements at the hospital and that it is not being used to implement the Hanly Report by the back door. Staff and management at Ennis General Hospital have been forced to work in crowded conditions with poor facilities for years and in spite of numerous Government prom- ises of funding, not one cent has been seen yet of the ©39m redevelopment plan,” he said.

The review must “focus on provid- ing improved services and _ facili- ties for the people of the county”, according to Sinn Féin’s county spokesperson Cathy McCafferty.

Speaking after the announcement Ms. McCafferty said, “This re- view must concentrate on finding out what resources Ennis General needs to ensure the tragic events revealed in recent days do not happen again.”

PREMIER League football comes to West Clare this November with the visit of Tottenham Hotspur. Coach- ing staff from the north London club will descend on the village of Mul- lagh on November 7 and 8 for two days of coaching clinics.

In a significant development for soccer in the Banner County, Spurs are linking up with local club West Clare United. It is the first time that the English Premier League club has entered into such a partnership agreement with an Irish club.

There are already plans for further events next year with some of the club’s star names expected to visit

Mullagh as part of the Tottenham Hotspur roadshow, planned for July AU

Needless to say excitement is al- ready building in Mullagh. Tom Egan, one of the founding members of West Clare United says anticipa- tion is already at fever pitch.

‘“T had rang them earlier in the year and we only just received confirma- tion that they were going to come over. It’s been great since we’ve heard. The kids have been out prac- ticing before they go to school. It’s a major boost for soccer in West Clare and for soccer in Clare in general.” Tom continued, “There is going to be members of the coaching staff and the head of the Youth Development,

Paul Griffiths coming over.

All the places are already gone for the coaching clinics, its booked solid. It’s a great boost for soccer.”

West Clare United were set up eight months ago. The club is based at the Community Sports Field in Mul- lagh. The club draws its members from Cooraclare, Cree, Doonbeg, Mullagh, Quilty, Milltown Malbay, Kilmihil, Inagh.

“We have over 100 children in- volved in the club and are delighted with the phenomenal response we have received in getting the club off the ground in an area which would by many have been viewed as aGAA stronghold’, added Tom.

This season the club fielded teams

at under 11 and under 13 with both sides performing strongly in the re- spective leagues.

Tom continued “The committee of the sports field in Mullagh have been wonderful in helping us organize Training and match days and main- tained the pitch in great condition which has been remarked upon by all who have played on it. Our sin- cere thanks go out to them for all eles Dum atsah ome

A SOCIAL stigma continues to pre- vent people seeking help for depres- sion, according to a consultant psy- chiatrist based in Ennis.

Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said that while many people are more will- ing to seek help for mental illnesses, several others are hiding it from the public and are not getting the medi- cal assistance they require.

He said that from a genetic stand- point, if one person in a family suf- fers from depression there is a pro- pensity for at least one other person to also suffer, as genetics play a sig- nificant role.

‘There is a proneness to increased psychiatric illness. The risk is in- creased if the person is close to you, especially in schizophrenic and bi- polar conditions.

“Close families are at higher risk. That is why we do a family history with each individual and we ask these questions,’ he added.

“If a family member suffered from depression, we would ask what tablet

worked for that person and we may recommend it for the individual,’ he added.

He said it was up to the individual to tell medial personnel if a family member suffered from depression, but said there were stigmas affecting Webi

“This has decreased a little bit in that we talk about it now. Newspaper articles and magazines all talk about depression. However the stigma is contributing to people taking their own lives,” he said.

He said that while people generally seek help for depression more and more, a stigma prevents many others from doing so.

“People do not want to admit it. They feel they are letting themselves down,” he added.

However, many people are very much opposed to the idea of going into a psychiatric hospital, “even though they are depressed and sul- cidal.”

THE cocaine-related deaths of two west Clare men has prompted gardai to issue a stern warning on the avail- ability of toxic forms of the drug.

A 22-year-old man died from a suspected cocaine overdose in Au- gust, while details have just emerged about another cocaine-related death – also in the greater Miltown Malbay

area – afew months earlier.

In that incident, a 29-year-old man was found dead in his apartment by his girlfriend. He had cocaine in the pocket of his jeans, while cocaine and alcohol was detected in his sys- 008

At an inquest last week, a doctor said that his death was due to acute cardiac respiratory failure, second- ary to the presence of opiates, co-

caine and alcohol. This has prompted gardai to warn about the devastating effects of the drug. “We are still seiz- ing significant quantities of cocaine, which is a worry. Our advice for anyone thinking of experimenting with cocaine is not to,’ said a garda spokesman.

“Cocaine is generally cut with oth- er substances. People who prepare cocaine are unscrupulous as to what

substances they use to bulk it,’ he said. He said that buyers do not know what they are getting and cocaine can be toxic. The speed at which people get into trouble with cocaine is frightening. We are amazed at this. People are more likely to get into fi- nancial bother, followed by addiction problems,” added the source.

In Clare, cocaine is sold at around €100 per bag, or €50 per gram.