End of hospital groups could leave Mullingar ‘isolated’
A Westmeath politician has this week expressed concern that changes announced last week for the administration of healthcare provision across the country might not be in the best interests of the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar (MRH).
Cllr Mick Dollard, who served for several years on the Dublin Mid Leinster Regional Health Forum, cautioned that the announcement that the various hospital groups are set to be stood down could actually be to the detriment of MRH.
“I don’t have a problem with Mullingar hospital having a close relationship with hospitals in Dublin, because what it actually means is health professionals in MRH can engage with their colleagues in Dublin, and vice versa, and it actually increases the profile of the hospital,” said Cllr Dollard, expressing the fear that it could leave the hospital somewhat “isolated”.
“At the present moment, MRH has a close relationship with hospitals and universities in Dublin, and that makes Mullingar hospital an attractive hospital for junior doctors,” he continued.
Last Tuesday’s announcement by Minister Donnelly was that the government has granted approval for the next steps for the implementation of Regional Health Areas (RHA)s across the country, in line with the Sláintecare proposals.
As part of the move to set up the new RHAs, Minister Donnelly said the various hospital groups are set to be stood down “eventually”, as are the Community Healthcare Organisations.
Mullingar Hospital is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group.
Also set to be stood down are the Community Health Organisations (CHO)s.
The changes are likely to be significant for Westmeath, which is under a number of umbrellas.
Explaining the structures currently overseeing healthcare provision in Westmeath, Dymphna Bracken, head of Communications/ Public Affairs at the HSE, said that “Westmeath Community area/services and Offaly Laois Longford Meath and Louth are operated by CHO8; the Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group; and the DML (Dublin Mid-Leinster) Forum is an informational meeting for councillors from the four Midland counties plus Kildare North West Wicklow and South Dublin.”
Making Tuesday’s announcement, Minister Donnelly explained that the RHAs are to be geographically aligned regional sub-divisions of the HSE, that will “plan, fund, manage and deliver” integrated care for people in their region.
“They will provide for the integration of hospital and community healthcare services, creating better access to services closer to home,” he stated.
Cllr Dollard welcomed that aspect of the plan: “Any proposals or setting up of regional authorities that will bring accountability and transparency to the Irish health services is to be welcomed, because unfortunately since the various health boards were discontinued, everything has become centralised,” he said.
“You have the Regional Health Forum and I was on it for 10 years, but basically, they were toothless tigers, they weren’t in a position to make any policy decisions.
“Unfortunately the HSE at the present moment is made up of a lot of people in suits who may be qualified to do jobs, but at the same time they are not au fait with the requirements of the community at large,” said Cllr Dollard.