Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne and Nenagh Sinn Féin representative Damian O’Donoghue are welcoming news from the HSE that consideration is being given to utilising Nenagh Hospital to address overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick. In a briefing for Oireachtas members yesterday HSE confirmed that they will consider
enabling Nenagh to permit ambulance service personnel to bring patients to its Medical Assessment Unit, under certain circumstances, similar to the pilot scheme that was introduced at Ennis Hospital this week. No decision will be made until a review of the first week of the Ennis scheme is completed at the weekend.
Deputy Martin Browne says appropriate staffing resources will also be required to delivered the expanded service in Nenagh – the Cashel based TD says planning has not been a strongpoint of the HSE when it comes to dealing with forecast surges in demand. Mr Donoghue a member of the Nenagh needs it’s A & E campaign says the people of North Tipperary have been badly let down since the closure of the Emergency Department in Nenagh Hospital in 2009.
