MINISTER for Health, James Reilly told Oireachtas members that he is to provide for better coordination and leadership in the Midwest group of hospitals. The Mid Western Regional Hospitals at Limerick, Ennis and Nenagh, together with the Orthopaedic Hospital at Croom and St John’s Hospital Limerick will work together.
However, in welcoming the decision, the Minister of State for Trade and Development Jan O’Sullivan claims that the information he gave to Oireachtas members from the Midwest this week, that he is to have the fairness of budget allocation examined within his Department is of equal importance.
Jan O’Sullivan said, “I have been of the view for some time that the Midwest is not getting its fair share of the overall Health budget. Minister Reilly has assured us that he is examining this issue”.
In the statement the Minister of State for Trade and Development said, “The serious problems in the Regional in Dooradoyle can be alleviated by better coordination among all the hospitals and I do not believe that the smaller hospitals are being utilised to their full potential”.
“The ongoing overcrowding situation, particularly in the Emergency Department is intolerable for patients and their families and for staff,” Minister O’Sullivan said.
She urged all who work in the system to cooperate fully with Ann Doherty, the new CEO, who is to take up her post in January.
