On Tuesdays Morning Focus; John began the show by discussing the current situation University Hospital Limerick.
Patricia Dillon from Quin got in touch with the show. Patricia's mum went into Ennis hospital on Thursday the 3rd of April she was then transferred to Limerick where she waited on a trolley from 1am on Friday morning until 10pm. The trolley was inside the A&E double doors with no curtain and no privacy. Patricia says the conditions were inhumane. She feels staff at the hospital are doing their best ion the dire situation and she is sure if her mother was on the trolley for another night she wouldn't be alive today.
Eileen Breen from Kilnamona also got in touch. Eileen was in A&E yesterday with her Mums fried who is in her 80's. She is very ill. After 12 hours the elderly lady was moved into a cubicle because her situation is so bad, it's like a war zone – both sides of corridors lined with trolleys it's hard to navigate. Eileen was asked to give up her chair for a patient as there were no trolleys left.
Geraldine Keating also got in touch as her partner Jim Whitney spent a total of 30 hours on a trolley in Limerick A&E following open heart surgery. Geraldine is a former nurse and was horrified at the conditions that the staff and patients are in.
Mary Fogarty, INMO representative for the Mid West also joined the conversation as Nursing staff at University Hospital Limerick have reported chronic overcrowding at University Hospital throughout this year. Figures obtained by Clare FM show an 18% increase in the number of patients on trolleys in Dooradoyle in the first three months of this year. Issues have continued in April, meanwhile – 43 patients were on trolleys there yesterday, along with 34 on Friday – both the highest of any hospital in Ireland on those respective days.
P.J Ryan, Sixmilebridge Councillor was up next. He spoke to John as members of the community in Sixmilebridge gathered yesterday outside the GAA field in an attempt to organise as group to approach a group of travellers in the town and ask them to leave. The travellers have been parked outside the graveyard for the past 3 weeks and people are finding it intimidating when visiting graves, particularly this week when many people visit the graveyard. P.J Ryan says that the graveyard is also being used as a bathroom as these people have no running water. Shannon Gardai did attend yesterday and advised the community not to approach the travellers in case things got out of hand. Gardai have tried to mediate the situation.
Sheila Lynch solicitor at Cashin & Associates joined John in studio for the Free Legal Advice Clinic. Sheila discussed the issue of a legal perspective for people who choose not to formally separate.
The MidWest has received a massive jobs boost with the announcement of 270 new jobs for Limerick. Recruitment is already underway for the positions at Ethicon Biosurgery Ireland which is part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. The roles are expected to be filled over the next five years. It is anticipated that the 60,000 square foot facility will be completed by 2015 and that an additional 150 temporary jobs will be created during construction. John spoke to IDA Midwest Regional Business Development Manager, Conor Agnew about the announcement and began by asking him how significant it is.
Finally, Clare Dog Warden Frankie Coote joined John for his regular slot with advice on proper animal care and animal owners' legal responsibilities. Contact Clare Animal Shelter on 065 6820393
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
