Engagement eases hospital changes in South

Reconfiguration of hospital services in the south of the country was smoother than in other regions largely because people’s views were taken on board, a study has found.

More meaningful engagement with stakeholders in Cork and Kerry meant while protests did take place, opposition to the reconfiguration of acute hospital services and emergency services was not as acute as in the Midwest or Northeast.

The study found the southern region, where reconfiguration was headed up by obstetrician/gynaecologist Professor John Higgins, engaged in a more inclusive engagement process “with a broad range of stakeholders apparently involved in designing the final reconfiguration plan”.