While conflicted over who to support in the current dispute between HIQA and the HSE, Dr Ruairi Hanley believes part of the solution to problems at Portlaoise Hospital should be to appoint the necessary senior clinical staff – not to instantly consider closing its emergency department.
An opposition Laois TD has said that patient care must be the first priority for the HSE in Portlaoise Hospital.
Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has said that, in the interests of patients and families, HIQA’s report into the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise should be published as soon as possible.
A temporary consultant in the Emergency Department (ED) is currently in place at Portlaoise Hospital and “is having a positive impact as evidenced by improvements in the trolley count at Portlaoise”, the Department of Health has insisted.
By Gary Culliton.
Irish Medical Times Medical News for Healthcare Professionals