STAFF already on the payroll at the Midwest Regional Hospital are ready to put 24/7 cardiac care into action – but are being held up because the hospital is waiting for an inspection from a validating body. In the meantime, seriously ill patients who need expert attention in the evenings or at weekends are being transferred from Dooradoyle to Galway Regional Hospital. Cllr Kieran O’Donnell (FG) contacted the office of the Minister for Health after consultant cardiologist at the hospital, Brendan Meaney went public with his fears
that cutting certain cardiology services in the evenings and weekends is putting patients at risk.
“I have spoken to the Minister’s office and I’m told the team is in place but is waiting for an inspection by the National Clinical Acute Coronary Services programme. This should happen with the next three weeks. I don’t think that’s good enough.
“The team is in place and ready to go. The inspection should happen immediately and then the people of Limerick will have the cardiac services they deserve. I intend to pursue this,” he told
Limerick Post.
He said he could get “no satisfactory explanation” for the delay in providing the inspection.
During a meeting with the acting CEO of the HSE, Tony O’Brien, he was informed that the five cardiologists are in place and two extra radiographers and two specialist nurses have already been taken on the team to provide 24/7 services.
“But this is all being held back for want of an inspection which the HSE West assures me the hospital is ready to pass,” Cllr O’Donnell said.
Mr Meaney raised the spectre of patient safety this week when he revealed that patients who present with certain types of cardiac conditions are being sent to Galway if they come to the Dooradoyle hospital in the evening or at weekends.
Mr Meaney made the point that Limerick has the busiest heart unit in the country for heart attacks.
In a statement, the HSE said that patients with a specific type of heart attack known as a STEMI, which does not involve cardiac arrest, are currently being sent directly to Galway but added that proposals are in place to treat the condition in Limerick.
