Startling cardiac patient statistics at hospital cannot be ignored: Reilly

THE mortality rate among heart patients who attend Roscommon Hospital is four times higher than the rate among patients attending University Hospital Galway, the health minister claimed last night.

Speaking during a Dáil debate on the future of emergency departments (EDs) at the country’s smaller hospitals, Dr James Reilly said he had seen a draft report containing statistics based on a survey of cardiac patients at Roscommon and Galway. He said “some of them are so startling I do not think you could ignore them”. He said the poor survival rate for heart patients at Roscommon Hospital was not a reflection on its doctors but on an absence of the appropriate skill sets and the fact that “there’s no ability to put a stent in, which is now the standard of care that’s required”.

Dr Reilly was defending the Health Service Executive (HSE) decision to remove Roscommon’s ED from next Monday, a move condemned by the opposition. Instead, patients will have to make do with an Urgent Care Centre (UCC), open from 8am-8pm — although the minister said last night he is hoping that with adequate staffing, it will remain open overnight. The UCC will treat minor injuries.

Meanwhile GPs in Roscommon said they are “appalled” at the proposed downgrading of the county hospital and the effect it will have on patient care and safety.

They have also claimed that no consultations took place in relation to opening the UCC as suggested by Dr Reilly and John Hennessy, regional director of operations, HSE West.

The GPs’ warning comes ahead of a protest due to take place today outside the Dáil and organised by the Roscommon Hospital Action Group

Buses from Strokestown, Boyle, Ballaghadereen, Castlerea and Roscommon are set to transport thousands of angry protesters who were given electoral promises by Fine Gael and Labour TDs that services would be protected.

Geraldine Colleran, GP in Elphin, said no arrangements have yet been put in place to deal with the closure of the ED; that GPs are not equipped or trained to provide emergency care and it would be inadequate and inappropriate to expect them to.

Yesterday the HSE said the UCC would be supported by an enhanced ambulance service and a Medical Assessment Unit. The Westdoc/GP out of hours service will also commence next Monday, located on the hospital grounds. Acute emergency services will be available at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, University Hospital Galway, Sligo General Hospital, Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, depending on the location of the emergency.