Speaking in the Dáil Éireann tonight, Deputy Michael Lowry, confirmed a multi million euro investment into Nenagh hospital that will also crucially improve patient safety for the people of North Tipperary.
After extensive meetings directly with the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, Lowry has secured the following pledges:
- A commitment to commission one overall integrated plan for the Midwest and to guarantee that the development of Limerick and Nenagh would take place in tandem and conjunction with each other.
- Capital projects committed too for Nenagh, include that the ‘Lowry agreement‘ with the Taoiseach, will be fully delivered. These multi million projects, such as the new surgical theatres, the endoscopy and diagnostic units, will be included for funding under the Department of Health’s Multi Annual Capital Programme, to be announced in the coming weeks.
- The existing Cat Scanner at Nenagh General Hospital will be fully commissioned and staffed.
- A significant enhancement of the Ambulance Service in the Midwest, through increased out of hours ambulance cover.
- An adequate number of ‘Advance Paramedic Practitioners’ to cover North Tipperary.
- That Day Surgery and Diagnostic facilities are to be extensively developed and easily accessible with the appointment of eight additional hospital consultants to enable the delivery of these new services and specialities in Nenagh and Ennis hospitals.
- That Primary Care teams will also play a major part in the proposed development of health services in North Tipperary. Currently 2 teams are successfully up and running in Roscrea and Borrisokane/ Cloughjordan. In Thurles, the development of 2 Primary Care teams is well underway. The process will be expedited to provide care teams in Templemore, Nenagh, Ballina and Newport. These are critical to ensure the success of any local health reform and will ensure that the people of North Tipperary are treated effectively in their own localities.
- A new medical assessment unit will be provided at Nenagh Hospital. This will be accessible by a GP referral system. What this in effect means is that most of the patients currently treated at Nenagh, will continue to be treated there. There will be no reduction in the service provided to the public of North Tipperary requiring medical care.”
Speaking to Thurles.Info the Thurles based Deputy paid tribute to the staff of Nenagh General and assured them of the safety of their positions. He Stated:
“The staff at Nenagh hospital are professional, dedicated, caring and committed. I have been assured that under the new proposed reconfiguration, all permanent Nursing, Attendant, Porter, Cleaning, Catering and Clerical Officer staff will retain their jobs.
Lowry reiterated his belief that a major investment is the only way available at this time to save Nenagh Hospital.
“I am of the firm belief, that without this investment – there is no future for Nenagh Hospital and it will be allowed to whittle away and die. I believe that the people in North Tipperary know the extent of my commitment to them and their best interests. In that respect this investment will best serve the people of my community.”
[...] George placed an interesting blog post on Future of Nenagh Hospital Secure – Lowry Secures Multimillion Euro b…/bHere’s a brief overviewSpeaking in the Dáil Éireann tonight, Deputy Michael Lowry, confirmed a multi million euro binvestment/b into Nenagh hospital that will also crucially. [...]
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