Clare Fine Gael TD Mr Joe Cooney has welcomed Health Minister Mrs Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill’s confirmation that the Government will proceed with all three HIQA options to expand hospital capacity in the Mid-West, while paying tribute to hospital and health service campaign groups across the wider Mid-West region for their sustained advocacy.
Deputy Cooney said the Minister’s decision represents a significant milestone that would not have been reached without the persistence and commitment of local campaigners.
“I want to acknowledge and pay tribute to the hospital and health service campaign groups in Clare and right across the Mid-West who have worked tirelessly over many years to keep the pressure on and to ensure the voices of patients, families and frontline staff were heard,” he said.
“In my year since becoming a member of Dáil Éireann, and previously during my time as a member of Clare County Council, I have witnessed at first hand the relentless, science-driven and people-centred approach adopted by these campaign groups. Their advocacy has always been grounded in evidence, focused on patient outcomes and carried out with dignity and determination.”
Deputy Cooney said the Minister’s statement also reflects the collaborative political effort undertaken in recent weeks across the Mid-West.
“Over recent weeks, I initiated a grouping of TDs and Senators from across Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick to build political consensus on the options for delivering healthcare services in the Mid-West, as outlined in the HIQA review of urgent and emergency care services,” he said.
“The group met on three occasions, including a detailed engagement with the HSE Mid-West management team, a meeting with the Mid-West Patient and Service Users Council, and a final meeting with the Minister and her officials,” he explained. “There was unanimous agreement among the 14 Oireachtas members that all three HIQA options must be progressed in parallel to relieve the ongoing and unacceptable pressure at University Hospital Limerick.”
In its presentation to the Health Minister and her officials last month, the group fully endorsed a three-tier approach to expanding hospital capacity across the region, which is what has been announced this week. The group held a further meeting with the Minister following her announcement.
Deputy Cooney added that while immediate and medium-term delivery is essential, planning for the long-term solution must now begin in earnest.
“With the Government decision now taken to progress all three HIQA options, it is vital that Department of Health officials immediately commence structured engagement with the HSE and with clinical experts to identify a clear and credible timeline for the delivery of Option C and a new Model 3 or Model 4 hospital for the Mid-West,” he said.
“Population growth, patient demand and clinical need all point to the necessity of an additional hospital in the region. Early and transparent planning will be critical to ensuring that this project moves from concept to reality and that the Mid-West finally has the hospital infrastructure required to meet the needs of current and future generations,” he concluded.
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