Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the mid-west, as in other areas, hospitals are grouped. Ennis General Hospital, together with the hospitals in Dooradoyle and Nenagh, are considered to constitute one hospital campus connected to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, the university hospital in Limerick. Naturally enough, there will be hiccups in the transitional process envisaged, but I am troubled by a statement from three senior doctors in the area to the effect that there has been a change to the long-standing practice of accepting vulnerable older people automatically in the medical specialists section for the elderly. The elderly may be vulnerable and under threat. According to the three doctors in question, this practice has been stopped abruptly. The hospital regrouping to which I referred is the first that has stopped abruptly the long-standing tradition according to which it is understood vulnerable older people should have immediate access to hospital care, when necessary. The HSE has not yet commented on the very worrying and troubling statement by the three doctors. At this stage, it is incumbent on it and the hospital group, including the hospitals in Dooradoyle, Ennis and Nenagh, to issue a statement to reassure people that the allegation is untrue. If it is true, it should be stated why it is and the alternative measures being put in place should be outlined. Perhaps the Leader, through his good offices, might ask the HSE what exactly is happening. The last thing we need, certainly in the mid-west which has had its fair share of ups and downs, is concern or worry on the part of the elderly by virtue of the changes to the management structure that have taken place.