Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has expressed serious concern that University Hospital Limerick is not equipped to deliver safe and timely care and says the Government failed to use it’s resources to increase bed capacity to tackle overcrowding.
Deputy Browne says “The situation in hospital emergency departments across the state including University Hospital Limerick is chaotic with staff dealing with very difficult conditions.
The Cashel based TD adds that “It seems that the Government has become immune to the unsafe, degrading, and undignified experience many patients face in overcrowded hospitals.”
Deputy Browne is calling on the Government to revise their budget for the health service in 2024 to target severe deficits by funding the promised 1,500 hospital beds and delivering the statutory home care scheme.
The HSE has announced details of the appointment of 6 Regional Executive Officers(REO) for the 6 new HSE Health Regions. As part of implementing Sláintecare, the HSE is organising service delivery into six health regions from March 1st 2024.
The six Health Regions will replace Hospital Groups (HGs) and Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs).
Each REO will be the accountable officer at Health Region level, responsible for the delivery of services for the population of their region. REOs will report directly to the HSE CEO on the operation and management of the Health Regions.
Sandra Broderick is the appointed person for HSE Mid-West while Dr Andy Phillips is the REO for the HSE South West. Kate Killeen White who previously had responsibility for community services in South Tipperary is the new REO for HSE Dublin and Midlands.
The positions carry a salary of €257,000 per annum.
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster says “The idea behind reorganising HSE structures is to ensure that people experience just one health service, providing whatever care they need at the right time and in the right place.”
