Midlands must not be excluded from elective surgery hub plan

Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has called for increased and targeted investment for the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT) after she highlighted the need for the urgent delivery of an elective surgery hub at the facility with the Minister for Finance Jack Chambers during Leaders Questions in the Dáil.

Deputy Nolan has been pursuing the matter since March of this year when a senior member of the MRHT surgical team brought the issue to her attention.

At that time there was no elective surgery capacity for knee or hip replacement procedures as the hospital had to accommodate and facilitate emergencies that were pouring in through the emergency department.

Following questioning on the issue, Minister Chambers confirmed to Deputy Nolan that while the Minister for Health has set out a capital plan to address the demand for surgery and an elective procedures at four elective hospitals at two sites in Dublin, one in Connolly and one at the children’s hospital in Crumlin, one in Cork and one in Galway, as well as surgical hubs for Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; there was no mention of MRHT or any other facility in the midlands:

“It is absolutely vital that Tullamore and indeed the midland counties are not left behind as the capital investment for health is being allocated this year,” said Deputy Nolan,

“I fully accept that MRHT is making positive strides in terms of reducing waiting times but what we are talking about here is a very specific surgical hub that can cater for those seeking hip and knee surgery. This is particularly urgent for the older demographic profile presenting at the hospital.”

“The older person and those needing surgical treatment should not be forced to attend Dublin or elsewhere when with a little political will and appropriate capital funding they could be treated at home in Offaly.”

“I have once again sought a meeting with the Minister for Health to try and progress this matter in a constructive and collaborative manner,” concluded Deputy Nolan.