HSE: Future is secure for Ennis General hospital

“THERE is no issue around the future of Ennis General and its future is secure.”

The assurance came yesterday from the regional director of Health Service Executive (HSE) West, John Hennessy.

He was responding to concerns expressed by HSE West Forum member Cllr Brian Meaney on the proposed removal of acute services from Ennis General Hospital.

To date, Ennis General has lost its 24hr Emergency Department& and acute surgical facilities.

At the HSE West forum meeting yesterday, Cllr Brian Meaney said the proposed transfer of acute services from Ennis General to Limerick Regional was troubling the people of Clare.

Mr Meaney asked if the proposed removal of the high dependency unit at Ennis General was to proceed on March 2 as originally planned.

The Medicine Board at Limerick’s Regional Hospital recently stated up to 70% of medical patients cared for in Ennis and Nenagh would be referred to Dooradoyle under the proposed model being pursued by the HSE.

The board states: “This would mean up to a 70% increase in medical admissions in Dooradoyle which is already working at well above 100% capacity. Clearly this would be unworkable.”

The Medicine Board is requesting a minimum of 60 acute beds be provided on the Limerick site to replace those lost in Ennis and Nenagh.

At the meeting yesterday, indicating the March 2 date will not be met, Mr Hennessy said: “I am not giving dates but there are issues around anaesthetic cover and the recruitment of a cardiologist for the Midwest that have to finalised”.

Mr Hennessy said the plan for Ennis General is quite straightforward.

“What can be managed safely will be done in Ennis and what can be managed safely in the centre will be brought there,” he said.

Mr Hennessy said a building programme is in place at Ennis General.

A report prepared for yesterday’s meeting confirmed “a new 50 bed unit is planned for Ennis Hospital”. “Construction will commence in the next two weeks and will be completed by the end of 2011,” the report said.

The report also states that “the endoscopy unit in Ennis is under construction and will be completed in April 2011”.