Persistent Edmund gets to talk to minister

“SHE was well guarded, there was no danger of her being kidnapped.”

That was the verdict of a patient at Cork University Hospital yesterday who made several attempts to talk to Health Minister Mary Harney on her visit there. He finally succeeded.

Edmund Boland from Mitchelstown, was one of CUH’s happy patients - the 67-year-old was delighted with the treatment he got at the hospital during his knee operation and aftercare.

“I just wanted to tell the minister that. To let her know that I got first-class treatment,” Mr Boland said.

His perseverance won out and the Mitchelstown man got to meet the minister at the end of her visit. Ms Harney was delighted to hear at least one good news story.

The minister inspected the €24 million A&E department that will open in March and the new Day Procedures Unit, which will open in 2006. This unit will be able to take 10,000 daycare procedures annually.

Ms Harney was also given a tour of the €75 million Cork University Maternity Hospital, due to open in mid-2006. This will be able to handle 7,000 births annually and amalgamate the services provided by Erinville and St Finbarr’s maternity hospitals.

During her visit, the minister opened the upgraded Sterile Services Department, which supplies sterile surgical instruments to the hospital’s 12 operating theatres, 13 intensive care beds and 23 clinical wards.

Ms Harney said the CUH was an example of a hospital that operates to a very high standard.

“From the moment that I arrived, the state of the facility, the cleanliness of the hospital was really impressive and I want to see that kind of standards everywhere,” she said.

The plans for the maternity wing, daycare hospital and A&E departments will all enhance the facilities being provided at CUH, the minister said.

CUH general manager Tony McNamara said he was delighted to welcome the minister.

“Her visit is an opportunity not only to discuss future service developments at the hospital but also to showcase the many projects under way to improve patient care,” Mr McNamara said.

Construction of a €50 million Cardiac/Renal unit is expected to start later this year.