Health Minister visits Offaly services
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly on Friday visited health services in the Midlands to meet staff and see recent developments in Emergency, Maternity and Palliative care services for patients in the region.
During his visit to the Midlands, Minister Donnelly visited the · Emergency Department in Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and the site of the new hospice development on the grounds of the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore
He also visited the new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and the Emergency Department and site of the development of the recently announced New Respiratory Assessment Unit in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise
The minister met with staff in the busy Emergency Departments of Portlaoise and Tullamore Hospital. More than 65,000 people so far this year have attended the Emergency Services this year and the HSE expects these numbers to increase further throughout the winter period.
Staff talked of the new patient pathways and their work to improve patient experience times and integrated work, ensuring patients who do not need emergency services can be seen in the right place, at the right time. To support this Government and the HSE have invested more than €700,000 for Laois and Offaly to support a range of measures that will provide for the appropriate, safe and timely care for patients by ensuring, insofar as possible, effective levels of capacity and resources are in place to meet the expected growth in activity levels for the coming months ahead.
Minister Stephen Donnelly said the infrastructural developments he saw would future proof service delivery for the midlands and demonstrate the reform being delivered through Sláintecare.
"This new infrastructure will enhance the permanent capacity of our health service and benefit patients in the region and ensure the delivery of safe, timely access to high-quality care. I would like to acknowledge the work and commitment of staff, hospice groups and the wider community in Laois and Offaly for driving these important health care investments for the patient population," he said.
Trevor O’Callaghan, CEO of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group said: “We are very pleased to welcome the Minister to the Midlands. Hospital and Community services in the midlands are committed to the delivery of high quality health services. There is a proud tradition of quality healthcare provision in the Midlands, over many generations. We are proud to continue developing the infrastructural capacity focused on ensuring patients in the midlands have timely access to the services they need at any stage of their life.
Referring to plans for a new regional hospice, for which €20 million in capital funding, was announced recently, Des O’Flynn, Chief Officer, Community Health Care Midlands Louth and Meath said: “The development of a new specialist palliative care unit for the Midlands represents one of the most significant investments in health care in the midlands for many years. It’s the culmination of many years of work and advocacy by many local organisations, and groups and staff within the HSE.
"We’d like to thank An Taoiseach Micháel Martin, the government and the Department of Health for making this announcement. We’d also like to thank the hospice groups in the midlands, namely North Westmeath Hospice, South Westmeath Hospice, Longford Hospice, Laois Hospice, Offaly Hospice and all their volunteers who have raised funds for various palliative care initiatives throughout many years – including the new hospice.
"In addition, to the above groups, we would like to thank Hooves 4 Hospice, the midlands group established by the Lions Clubs in the area who have fundraised specifically for the midlands hospice and the Irish Hospice Foundation who have advocated and supported the project since inception. This important work is a priority for us and we will advance this funding commitment and continue to work with all stakeholders as part of this exciting programme of development works.”