Tullamore part of Dublin Midlands hospital group

The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore has been grouped with its counterpart in Portlaoise as well as Naas General Hospital and St James’s, The Coombe and Tallaght hospitals in Dublin to form the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

Fine Gael’s Marcella Corcoran Kennedy welcomed news of the grouping today, saying it will improve efficiency and reduce waiting lists and trolley numbers.

Going forward staff are to be recruited to the hospital group rather than to each individual hospital. Hospitals meanwhile will each specialise in certain procedures.

Deputy Corcoran Kennedy said today recruiting staff to the group rather than to individual hospitals is a good thing.

“This will ensure that patients in Offaly will have access to world class medical staff and will enable a reduction in the hours that junior doctors work,” she said, adding that in turn that will improve patient safety in Tullamore.

“When elected the Government received a mandate to radically reform our health service and to put the patient at the centre of all health reforms,” Deputy Corcoran Kennedy said.

“Healthcare reform is a difficult task, particulary during this financial environment. The public have heard promises before and been disappointed. But this government is working hard to continue its progress in hospital reform - in reducing trolley waits, and with consultants now seeing, treating and discharging patients on 24/7 basis.”

The establishment of hospital groups is one of the steps towards universal health insurance, which Deputy Corcoran Kennedy says will provide more freedom to hospital staff to deliver for their patients.

“We have some of the best healthcare professionals in the world in this country,” she said. “They know better than anyone else that the status quo cannot continue. We have to change to meet the needs and expectations of patients and their families.

“This Government is acutely aware of the challenge that faces us in terms of health reformIt will not be done overnight. It is a complex and major undertaking that requires careful planning and sequencingit will take time, patience, diligence, and determination.”