Reilly: No promises on Cork hospitals

THE Health Minister has predicted another “big row” over plans to transfer elective surgical procedures to small hospitals, and makes no promises on emergency reforms at Mallow and Bantry hospitals.

Speaking in Cork yesterday, Dr James Reilly said smaller hospitals have a “huge role” to play but have not been allowed to play it.

“There is far too much focus on what is coming out of small hospitals as opposed to what is going in,” he said. “I intend that procedures which should not be going into bigger hospitals will go to the smaller ones, and there will be a big row over that too.

“A lot of people would prefer to go to a small, calm environment rather than the hustle and bustle of a busy centre for something they are having done electively.”

Dr Reilly also signalled an initiative which will see technology put into ambulances that let paramedics carry out an ECG to tell the seriousness of a heart attack.

Dr Reilly said the closure of Roscommon’s emergency department could have been handled better. He said GPs outside Roscommon were not consulted and the decision was always going to be damaging politically.

Dr Reilly said Bantry Hospital’s situation was unique as it has a land mass 100km to the west of it with no hospital access.

“That is 120 miles from Cork and needs a different approach than other small hospitals and is a very different situation to Mallow.

“But again there is no trauma going in there at the moment so they are quite limited in what they can do. We have to think outside the box and try to keep as much of a service as we can particularly in relation to an emergency service.”

Mallow would like to see two medical consultants appointed before any downgrading. The minster said he could not give commitment but there would be a proper consultation process on Mallow and Bantry and all the small hospitals: “I will be straight with people and tell them if it’s money or safety that is the issue”.