Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 October 2010

Health Services: Motion (Resumed)

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I speak about the reconfiguration in the south east as someone who participated in the debate on cancer care services soon after becoming a Member of the Dáil. I refer to the BreastCheck cancer care services in the south east. I supported the removal of services from Wexford to Watford on the basis that it provided the best clinical outcome. At the same time, Ministers refused to support any change in services or reconfiguration in their area because they were playing politics. I bought into reconfiguration on the basis of the HSE acting in good faith. It should have acted in good faith but it is with a sad heart that I say it did not. Oireachtas Members were to be kept updated on the direction the HSE was going in, in consultation with the clinical leads from the south east region.

However, the HSE operated as it does on the basis that it does whatever it wants and everyone else can go to hell. The HSE thought it would do so in this instance and attempted to present a fait accompli to the clinical leads of the south east region. The clinical leads said "No" and this culminated in the resignation of the clinical lead, Dr. Colm Quigley. Without that man standing up and doing what was right, in contrast to the HSE choosing the best option and presenting it to the clinical leads, Wexford and Clonmel would have been significantly downgraded.

The south east region is an enormous geographic area and I am the furthest point from Waterford. We are two hours from Waterford and one hour from Dublin yet the HSE saw fit to ignore the area. In the past month, two babies have been born on the road to Wexford, which is nearer than Waterford. One was born in the car park of St. Senan's Hospital, the other was born on the side of the road. Adding another hour to that journey means that patients, children, mothers and babies will be lost. I will not participate in this under any circumstances.

St. Senan's Hospital falls under the brief of the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who was to brief Oireachtas Members at the end of September. We are now into the first week of October and I want to see progress on this matter. I also want to see progress on the retention of acute admissions services in County Wexford. As the Minister of State said when we met previously, Wexford is the size of Laois and Offaly yet there is a service in both counties.

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