Hospital with vital blood service faces downgrade

A TIPPERARY hospital which the Health Service Executive plans to downgrade is providing a vital service to Limerick patients with a life threatening blood disorder.

Nenagh General Hospital is relieving the pressure on the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick by treating patients with a condition known as haemochromatosis, who cannot be accommodated in the larger hospital.

The Mid-Western Regional Hospital can no longer cope with new patients diagnosed with the condition and many now travel to Nenagh for venesection — where a vein is opened to remove blood as a therapeutic treatment.

This bloodletting is required on a regular basis to prevent the build up of iron which can cause major organ failure.

Haemochromatosis sufferer Denise McAuliffe, who lives in Dooradoyle near the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, said: “After I was diagnosed with haemochromatosis, I had to go to Nenagh as Limerick could not take any more venesection patients.”

It is estimated that 1% of the population has chronic haemochromatosis.

Limerick businessman, Ivan Morris said he was screened for the condition after one of his brother’s was diagnosed.

He said: “It attacks the liver, the heart and other organs. I could have died of cirrhosis of the liver which would amaze those who know me as I have never taken a drink in my life. It also causes diabetes. It is extremely common in this country. I was fortunate to get my treatment in Limerick at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, but they cannot cope with any more patients.”

Many Limerick patients are now being treated at Nenagh where they can get venesection when their blood reading indicates it is needed.

Nenagh General Hospital, is to have its A&E services withdrawn as part of HSE plans to reconfigure services in the mid west.

* An information night on haemochromatosis will be held at the Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh on March 2 at 8pm, which will include Dr Manus Moloney, a specialist at Nenagh.