The government’s new framework document for Ireland’s health service promises a substantial growth in activity in smaller hospitals like Ennis General.
Health Minister James Reilly says the grouping of hospitals in six areas, with Ennis General in the MidWest, secures the future of smaller institutions and will allow for the exchange of services, and the provision of safe and appropriate care.
However, the document confirms that such hospitals will lose full A&E cover, with this replaced by a Medical Assessment Unit and a local injuries unit which will be open for up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week ‘when feasible’.
On Wednesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke discussed the restructuring with Clare Deputies Joe Carey of Fine Gael and Timmy Dooley of Fianna Fail
Dr Con Cronin, Clinical director of the Medicine Directorate with the Mid Western Regional Hospitals Group also spoke with John to explain the changes.
Ennistymon Publican Matthew Griffin is Clare’s Vintners’ Federation of Ireland representative
The Government is being called on to fulfil the promises its made to tackle low cost alcohol sales in supermarkets and provide rural transport schemes
Members of the Vintners Federation of Ireland held their annual conference in Co. Meath yesterdaday and heard how 38 jobs are being lost in the pub trade every week
The VFI says the Government is stalling on the introduction of regulations controlling the sale, promotion and supply of alcohol
Matthew explained how the Vintners’ AGM went.
Ennis District Court Judge Patrick Durkan has put in place a " get tough" policy with people illegally parked in disabled spots
A Ballynacally woman has been put off the road for 6 months for failing to pay an 80 euro fine for illegally parking in a disabled space in Ennis over Christmas
Yesterday the court heard Dierdre O’Connor of Ballynacally had no previous convictions for parking offences and along with banning her for six months , Judge Durkan imposed a fine of 750 euro and ordered her to pay the council’s costs of 100 euro
While he didn’t pass comment during sentencing – the Judge previously described the offence of illegally parking in a disabled spot as despicable
John was joined in studio by local disability activist Dermot Hayes who welcomed Judge Durcan’s policy as progressive, and was joined on the line by Connor Faughnan of AA Ireland who described the sentence as severe and excessive.
Actress Angelina Jolie is being praised for speaking out after undergoing a double mastectomy to prevent breast cancer
The actress says she had the operation because she has a faulty gene, which sharply increases the chance of her developing the disease
In an article for the New York Times, the Hollywood star says doctors put her risk at 87 per cent
John was joined in studio by Nicola Wood of the Pink Ribbon Walk committee in Killaloe
This will be the fourth year of the Killaloe event – since 2010 volunteers have raised over €215,000 for Action Breast Cancer
This year’s event takes place on Sunday June 9th
The National Cancer Helpline – 1800 200 700.
Paul Wolfe of the Clare Citizens’ Information Service was in studio to answer listeners’ queries.
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