Management at Ennis General insist the future of Clare County Hospital is secure with the opening of the long awaited new ward block.
Patients spent their first night in brand new state of the art en suite single rooms last night, after they were transferred to the 25 bed Burren Ward marking the official commencement of services in the new 15 million euro development.
A further 25 beds are to open in the coming weeks, and though the political debate over HSE plans to remove cardiology and emergency medical services to Limerick continues, hospital management say they’re optimistic about the future.
Meanwhile,
The opening of the new unit comes after agreement was struck with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation regarding staffing arrangements.
The HSE had said a delay in the ‘finalisation of human resource arrangements’ was among the reasons for Clare patients having to wait until yesterday for the unit to open, but it has now been confirmed that a compromise has been reached.
The INMO say they advocated at all times the need for appropriate staffing levels to ensure safe care in the different ward environment of single en suite rooms.
