Day surgeries cancelled at Ennis Hospital
Again, surgeries cancelled in Ennis. Again, A+E in UHL dangerously overcrowded. When will this government ensure Ennis is resourced and utilised to alleviate pressure on Limerick?, I asked the Taoiseach.
Iarnród Éireann planning to enhance capacity on Ennis-Limerick rail services
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from Iarnród Éireann of its plans to enhance capacity on rail services between Ennis and Limerick.
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McNamara criticises delay in delivering second Clare NCT centre
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has criticised the “inordinate delay” in delivering a second NCT centre for County Clare.
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McNamara pushes for fully independent second level Gaelcholáiste in Clare
The need to develop a fully independent second level Gaelcholáiste in County Clare has been raised in the Dáil by Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
Read MoreBringing Families Back Living In Town Centres
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has suggested Ennis town centre as the focus of a government pilot project aimed at bringing buildings back into residential use.
Proposed demolition of houses in Ennis
The proposed demolition of six houses at Francis St, Ennis, recently purchased by Clare County Council, needs to be reconsidered, and the Tánaiste agrees.
Gaelcholáistí
Ní léir go dtuigeann an tAire agus an Roinn Oideachais an méid oibre atá ar siúl in Inis chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a chothú agus an tábhacht a bhaineann le Gaelcholáiste an Chláir neamspleách ina leith.
McNamara voices opposition to demolition of Francis Street houses
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has expressed his strong opposition to the proposed demolition of five houses at Francis Street in Ennis and a more recently constructed home behind the properties to accommodate the development of a temporary carpark.
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28% increase in numbers waiting for Driving Tests in Clare
The number of people waiting for driving tests in County Clare has increased by 28% in the six months to the end of February.
Read MoreCataract Treatment Waiting List Doubles In Clare
Independent TD Michael McNamara says urgent investment in ophthalmology services in the Mid-West is required to address the growing waiting list for cataract procedures in County Clare.
Read MoreNational Ambulance Service response times
When I recently asked the Minister for Health the number of occasions where ambulances arrived at scenes where the patient had already died, I was told that such statistics are not collated. The deterioration in the National Ambulance Service is clear from the statistics we do have.
Ennis Hospital
The Taoiseach agreed with me that capacity at Ennis Hospital has to be increased as part of the solution to overcrowding at UHL. Plans drawn up a decade ago for a new block at the back of Ennis need to be resurrected.
No new acute beds for Mid-West hospitals in 2023
No new acute beds will be opened in the Mid-West Region in 2023, according to figures released to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
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HSE figures highlight “chronic underinvestment” in Mid West
Only 7 WTE (Fulltime /Whole-time Equivalent) healthcare professional positions in Acute Services were created at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) during 2022 despite UHL being the most overcrowded hospital in the country last year.
Read MoreEnnis Hospital theatres
Despite Minister Donnelly’s claim that 1,000 new posts have been created at University Hospital Limerick since March 2020, two recently upgraded theatres in Ennis Hospital have remained closed since before Christmas.
Expansion of services planned for Chronic Disease Hub in Ennis
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara says he has received confirmation from the HSE that new positions in the areas of cardiology, physiotherapy, respiratory and diabetes are at advance stage of recruitment for the Clare Chronic Disease Hub and that a significant expansion of services at the Ennis-based facility is planned over the coming months.
Read MoreTheatres at Ennis Hospital
I asked why two recently upgraded theatres at Ennis Hospital are currently not being used when there is significant waiting lists for procedures in the Mid West.
Health service in the Mid West
I spoke about the healthcare crisis in the Mid West on The Tonight Show.
Ennis Hospital
The Taoiseach has admitted additional resources are required for Ennis Hospital. I will continue to pursue the Government to deliver.
Resourcing the Midwest health system
I attended a positive meeting about UHL yesterday with UL Hospitals Group management, the Health Minister, Taoiseach and fellow Oireachtas Midwest representatives. At long last, there was an acknowledgment that the Midwest hospital system is under-resourced compared to other regions of the State and that the Model 2 Hospitals, such as Ennis and Nenagh, are underutilised.
Ennis Hospital
I spoke on RTÉ Drivetime about the need to adequately resource Ennis Hospital in light of the HSE decision to sanction ambulance paramedics to bring patients directly to the facility’s medical assessment unit.
McNamara highlights Ennis radiography service concerns with HSE
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara says he has received assurances from the UL Hospitals Group that the radiography service at Ennis Hospital will continue to operate at full capacity, despite almost half of the approved radiographer positions for the Clare facility remaining unfilled.
Read MoreIncrease in attendances at Ennis MAU
The number of attendances at the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) in Ennis Hospital increased by 52% in the two years to 2021 with a further 8% increase recorded during the first five months of this year, according to figures released by the HSE in response to a Parliamentary Question from Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara.
Read MoreHIQA report into UHL overcrowding
The HIQA report into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick points to completely inadequate capacity in the Midwest and a failure to manage existing capacity.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called on the Government to publish the terms of reference for an expert team that is being deployed by the HSE to review the issues surrounding chronic overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
UHL overcrowding
I raised the issue of ongoing overcrowding at University of Limerick with Taoiseach Micheál Martin today.
NEWSTALK – UHL Overcrowding
I spoke to Newstalk this evening about University Hospital Limerick, the most consistently overcrowded hospital in the country, and the need to develop a strategy to deliver an acceptable level of health services in the Midwest now and in the immediate future.
Insurance Issue Threatens Ireland’s Oldest Fair At Spancilhill
Difficulties obtaining insurance pose a threat to the world-renowned Spancilhill Horse Fair in County Clare, according to Independent Deputy Michael McNamara.
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€9.95m Approved For Theatre Upgrade At Ennis Hospital
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a €9.95m capital budget allocation has been approved for a theatre upgrade at Ennis Hospital and that the project has already progressed to design stage.
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New Chronic Disease specialist roles to be created in Midwest
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a number of additional Clinical and Diagnostic Chronic Disease posts are being recruited for the Midwest region through the University Hospital Limerick Group.
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Chronic Disease Team to be established in Clare
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a new Chronic Disease Management Hub delivering services to patients with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Type II Diabetes is being rolled out in County Clare.
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Council urged to prioritise Ennis North Inner Relief Road project
Congestion during peak traffic periods on the Tulla Road and Gort Road areas of Ennis could be significantly eased with the completion of the Ennis North Inner Relief Road, according to Independent Clare T.D Michael McNamara.
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McNamara seeks protection for Roadbridge subcontractors and suppliers
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called for Government intervention to prevent the loss of hundreds of jobs amongst subcontractors and suppliers, in addition to those directly employed by Roadbridge, in the event that the company is liquidated.
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No new hospital beds for Midwest in 2022
No new acute, sub-acute or ICU beds will be opened in the Midwest in 2022, according to HSE figures released to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
Read MoreGovernment accepts motion on National Driving Licence Service offices
The Government has accepted a Private Members Motion seeking a reversal of the decision to downgrade National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State.
Downgrade of NDLS offices
The Government says the temporary Covid downgrading of all National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State has now been made permanent. A walk-in service is no longer available and a public services card is now needed to avail of the online service.
CLARE FM – Hospital overcrowding in Mid West
HIQA is to undertake inspections of the ED at University Hospital Limerick and work with hospital management to develop a strategic plan to address capacity issues. It’s important the plan has a wider scope than the approach taken up to now.
Covid downgrading of all NDLS offices across Ireland made permanent
Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughten has confirmed that the temporary Covid downgrading of all National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State has now been made permanent.
Read MoreLIVE 95 & CLARE ECHO – UHL overcrowding
I spoke to Live 95FM about ongoing overcrowding at UHL, which is consistently the most overcrowded hospital in the State.
UHL overcrowding
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara today called for an independent investigation into ongoing overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where a record 111 patients were on trolleys this morning.
Addressing Taoiseach Micheal Martin during Promised legislation in Dáil Éireann today, Deputy McNamara said the exponential growth in trolley numbers at UHL was unlikely to be halted by the introduction of additional beds alone and that consideration should be given to upgrading other hospitals within the UHL Group.
Responding to Deputy McNamara, the Taoiseach said he would request the Minister for Health and the HSE to review the Clare TD’s proposal around the causes of ongoing overcrowding.
Deputy McNamara commented, “There is no clear indication as to why UHL is consistently the most overcrowded hospital in the country. I don’t know whether it is how admissions and discharges are managed in the hospital or if Ennis, Nenagh or St. Johns need to be upgraded to Model 3 Hospitals. An investigation needs to be commissioned without delay.”
Additional staff and capacity for Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis
A further expansion of the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) in Ennis Hospital is currently underway with a staff recruitment process ongoing, according to Deputy Michael McNamara.
Read MoreCovid financial supports for nursing homes to end in late June
The Government’s response to the pandemic has been blunderbuss and one of the few targeted measures is being removed. None of the Covid-19 Committee or Expert Panel recommendations regarding nursing homes and care of the elderly have been implemented.
Ward extension works underway at Raheen Community Hospital
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says the commencement of work on a new ward extension to Raheen Community Hospital is “badly needed” and will restore confidence locally in East Clare around the future of the East Clare facility.
Read MoreDerelict buildings in towns and villages
The Government must develop a nationwide strategy to bring derelict buildings in our towns and villages back into use.
McNamara secures significant increase in services for Ennis Hospital
Clare Independent T.D., Michael McNamara, has received confirmation from the UL Hospitals Group that a business case for a major expansion in the level of services provided at Ennis Hospital has been approved.
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Business Case Submitted For Further Expansion Of Ennis Hospital Services
Clare Independent TD, Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a business case has been submitted for further expansion of the level of services provided at Ennis Hospital.
Read MoreHospital Capacity in Mid West Region
Four months on from former Health Minister, Simon Harris, T.D., admitting that the Mid West has been failed for decades in terms of bed numbers, I sought an update from the HSE on hospital capacity in the region.
Short window to let communities breathe before a long winter
There is a short window to let communities breathe before a long winter.
Lower hospital admissions and expanded role for Tier 2 Hospitals
I questioned the HSE today on the reasons for the low number of confirmed COVID cases in hospitals despite rising cases nationally. I also asked the HSE to outline its plans to ease overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick by expanding services at Tier 2 Hospitals such as Ennis, St Johns and Nenagh.
Expansion of services at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals
I received confirmation from the HSE today that it is considering proposals to expand the level of services delivered from Tier 2 hospitals such as Ennis and Nenagh during the coming months.
Impact of COVID-19 on SME sector
In this morning’s meeting of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, I asked members of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Recovery Ireland about the impact of COVID-19 on the SME sector.
Intreo Centres
During today’s COVID-19 Committee meeting, I questioned John McKeon, Secretary General for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, on whether the Department has plans to centralise existing Intreo Centre back office services throughout the Midwest to Limerick.
Future delivery of services at Ennis, St. John’s and Nenagh Hospitals
I have called on the Minister for Health to expand the role of, and level of service provided in, Ennis, St. John’s and Nenagh Hospitals to avoid the inevitable calamity that will be UHL overcrowding.
The role of Tier 2 hospitals post COVID
Alan Irvine and Martin Varley of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) outlined today that Tier 2 hospitals have a vital and enlarged role to play in providing medical care post-COVID.
