HSE’s mid-west hospitals review shows profits matter more than patient care

THE recent publication of the HSE review of acute hospital services in the mid-west — more commonly known as the Teamwork Report — represents a sick note for healthcare provision, both present and future, in the midwest region.

In essence, this document is the 2003-published Hanly report in disguise, containing many of the same recommendations in relation to the delivery of acute care.

The mainstay of these proposals was placed in the public arena six years ago and, in the intervening period, little or no advancement in areas such as the upgrading of the ambulance service or the enhancement and development of facilities at Ennis General Hospital or the Mid West Regional Hospital at Limerick, has taken place.