Survey showed Mallow meeting most targets

THE most recent HSE evaluations at Mallow General Hospital found that the north Cork hospital was reaching most of its targets.

Mallow General was surpassing the emergency department target of ensuring that all patients are seen within six hours of arrival.

Healthstat results show that patients were seen within five hours at the hospital. The results, published less than three months ago by HSE, also show patients were seeing a physiotherapist within 15 days, compared with a national target of 70 days.

Patient waiting times for colonoscopies – used to see the condition of the intestine – were also well below national and international targets.

Patients wait just 10 days for an X-ray, having attended a GP, compared to the target of 70 days.

Lengthy waiting times for scans are highlighted, however, with patients waiting up to four months for access to CT scans – even thought the international target is 70 days.

Up to €1.5 million was spent on a CT scanner for Mallow three years ago but the hospital only secured a permanent CT radiologist position in recent months.

The radiologist is due to take up his post later this month. In the intervening period, the service has been haphazard, depending on locums. For other prolonged periods, X-rays were sent to the Mercy University Hospital in Cork city for reading.

Meanwhile, Healthstat found that too few of the hospital’s procedures were day cases. Ideally, up to 75% of patients should not require an overnight stay but at Mallow, this figure stood at just 35%.

The figures note high rates of absenteeism at the hospital, with up to 7% absenteeism amongst nursing staff, 11% amongst management and administrative staff and 10% amongst health and social care staff. Absenteeism targets in the HSE are set at 4%.

It also emerged that large numbers of consultants at the outpatient department were not seeing enough new patients.

In the medical and surgical departments, a maximum of 25 new patients were being sent by each consultant. This figure should stand at 110, according to HSE targets.

Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has thrown its weight behind the hospital and its director of nursing.

Speaking yesterday, INMO industrial relations officer Patsy Doyle said her members are proud of the central role that Mallow hospital provides to the people of Cork.

“They are proud of the strong clinical leadership which has guaranteed the highest standards of care over the years.

“Mallow General Hospital does not pretend to be a regional hospital, instead it provides 24/7 care to a community who, in the face of an under-resourced community service, need it on a daily basis.”