Full Debate now needed on the future of Rural Hospitals

It is now time for a full debate and review of rural hospitals.  The government acted with nothing but the best interests of the people of Roscommon when transferring services to Galway.  The report outlining services to be unsafe from HIQA was compelling to necessitate this.  The government act on basis on information given to them from what they must regard as reliable state agencies.  The handling of the matter though was less than what is desired. Communication between the relevant Ministers, Government Parties, State Bodies and HSE needs to be improved and upgraded.  The reasons for the closure were clear but were not communicated to all who should be informed.  The game changing HIQA reports importance was not outlined earlier.  


This controversy can be rectified by having a review of all hospitals with the aim for a full debate by both public and both Houses of the Oireachtas on the future of Rural Hospitals as John Crown (Independent Senator) has suggested.  Although while my confidence in HIQA is also not very high, I do not believe that is the militant wing of the HSE as Crown suggested and while I do not doubt the content of their reports, they appear to cherry pick the Hospitals to review to be inline with HSE hierarchy policy and should take into account what toll HSE staff cuts take on certain hospitals.  Staff Cuts on Rural hospitals have more severe impacts than in the Centres of Excellence in the cities.  


A debate needs to have a definite start and finish and I believe can be concluded before the end of the this year.  This should not be something for the government to hide from but to engage with all involved and affected by recommended downgrades closures to see what best solutions can be put in place.  The government during any debate needs to send out strong and single minded signals on what action it is pursuing and be firm and unwavering on any resulting polices.  Election promises do not constitute policies and the wills of individual Deputies cannot prevent any action necessary from being pursued.  The Government is not holding on by 1 or 2 votes but by nearly 20.  


There is a need for a reduction of the number of our Emergency Departments but there is not an over allocation of Rural Hospitals.  Medium to Long Term Care is best delivered in Local Hospitals that deinstitutionalise the care provided for the patients who prefer to be as close to home as possible.  I have full confidence in James Reilly in is efforts to overhaul and eventually eradicate our country of the HSE.  Indeed Dr Reilly himself has first-hand experience of the ineffective of the Health System introduced by Michael Martin.  The honeymoon is now over.


Read more:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0711/roscommon.html
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/closure-could-turn-out-to-be-for-the-good-of-roscommon-people-2817908.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0711/1224300495683.html