FG motion on local hospitals defeated

THE GOVERNMENT last night had a comfortable majority of 77 votes to 73 to defeat a Fine Gael motion on the maintenance of frontline services in regional hospitals.

The Dáil motion aimed to put pressure on Independent TDs and Fianna Fáil backbenchers who criticised cuts in local hospital services. However, the critics on the Coalition benches voted with the Government, with the exception of former supporter Noel Grealish.

The Galway West Independent and former PD last month withdrew his support over health cuts in the west and voted with the Opposition last night.

Independent TD for Tipperary North Michael Lowry described the Fine Gael motion as “ill-timed, unwise and unhelpful to the cause of Clonmel General Hospital”, in his constituency.

Mr Lowry, who with Jackie Healy-Rae (Ind, Kerry South) supported the Government, said he had made it “very clear” to the Minister for Health that “if any substantial proposal to downgrade Clonmel emerges after the reconfiguration process is complete, I will vigorously oppose it”.

But he had received confirmation from Minister for Health Mary Harney at a meeting yesterday evening that “there is no current risk to the core existing combination of services provided at Clonmel General Hospital”.

Tom Hayes (FG, Tipp South) said the motion was helpful because it resulted in clarification. It was only last week that the HSE gave a “reasonable assurance in the short to medium term” of the maintenance of services in Clonmel.

Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly, who closed the debate, said the motion was clear. “Find the necessary savings within the waste and inefficiencies of the HSE and not at the patient’s expense.” But “instead the Minister allows the HSE to take the lazy, easy way out – hit the front line and hurt patients”.

Eamon Scanlon (FF, Sligo North Leitrim), who resigned the party whip over services at Sligo General Hospital said there were more beds open at the hospital yesterday than on the same date last year. The 1,400 hospital employees would deliver the level of care designated for 2010. He said this included 14,770 in patient appointments, 23,343 day cases and 92, 256 outpatient visits. And he said the approved extension of the hospital had a lead-in of “in the region of two years”. He added that Sligo was the fourth best performing hospital in the State.

Máire Hoctor (FF, Tipp North) said frontline services in Nenagh had been improved with the introduction of emergency technicians, paramedics who were now fully operational. Minister of State for Health John Moloney said he found it peculiar that the Fine Gael motion made no reference to mental health services.