"Totally Unacceptable"- Laois TD Criticises Hospital For Response On Surgical Staffing

Sean Fleming is criticising an answer on surgical staffing in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

A Laois TD says the HSE's response to questions around surgical staffing at a Midlands hospital is "meaningless" and "totally unacceptable".

Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise says it is undertaking a partnership with Tullamore when it comes to complex elective surgical activity through a phased approach.

It's believed the move will see staff sent to Offaly to perform certain operations.

Fianna Fail's Sean Fleming is asking hospital management for a timescale to the change and is branding its statement as unsatisfactory.

The HSE's statement in full:

The HSE Dublin and Midlands Region is committed to the continued development of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a key hospital serving the people of Laois and the wider Midlands.

With County Laois and the surrounding area experiencing significant population growth, there is a clear need to ensure that local hospital services continue to develop in line with the needs of the communities they serve. The future development of surgical services at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is an important part of this work.

The HSE’s objective is to build a strong, sustainable and increasingly comprehensive surgical service at Portlaoise. This will be achieved through a phased and clinically led approach, ensuring that the necessary skills, experience, staffing and infrastructure are in place to support the safe delivery of increasingly complex surgical care closer to home.

As part of this approach, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is working closely with clinicians and colleagues across the Dublin and Midlands Region, including Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. In the interim, complex elective surgical activity will be undertaken in partnership with Tullamore to support the continued development of the Portlaoise surgical team. This collaborative approach will enable surgeons to build their experience and capability while supporting the planned development of surgical services in Portlaoise.

The HSE Dublin and Midlands Region is committed to a positive future for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and to ensuring that its services continue to evolve to meet the needs of one of Ireland’s fastest-growing populations.