Confusion over future of cardiology services at hospital

UNCERTAINTY yesterday centred around future cardiology services at Ennis General Hospital, with claims that hospital staff have been informed a consultant and his team will be relocated to Limerick from March 1.

The controversial move was originally due to take place on February 1.

Fine Gael’s Pat Breen said: “They have been given an additional stay of one month and it appears as though equipment may also be moving.

“This includes the high dependency unit which will also transfer to Limerick. The staff at the high dependency unit provide an excellent service for the people of Clare and are preventing the clogging up of the system at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.

“I have no difficulty with the concept of a centre of excellence or transferring the acute cardiac services to Limerick.

“However, this service is valuable for people who require monitoring, assessing and treatment, as well as for acute coronary assistance and heart attack patients.”

Deputy Breen pointed out former Minister for Health Mary Harney said cardiac services would continue as usual and there would be no change in the situation at the hospital.

The former minister had agreed to meet with Clare’s Oireachtas deputies last Wednesday only hours before she tendered her resignation.

Deputy Joe Carey said yesterday: “Minister Harney told us last Wednesday afternoon she would meet with us on the issue but no date was given and, hours later, we saw she had resigned.”

The Clarecastle-based TD said: “There is now total uncertainty over cardiology services. I don’t know when a meeting will be held now over the services.

“This shows the negative impact a dysfunctional government is having on individual constituencies. It is very disappointing.”