The Endoscopy Unit remaining idle at Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise has been labelled a ‘scandal’.
Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley said that a reply to an Sinn Fein Parliamentary Question from the Minister for Health is very disappointing regarding the need to get the new Endoscopy Unit in Portlaoise opened.
Scandal
“The scandal of this unit being closed is just one in a litany of issues in our Health Service. At a time when there are 579,891 on hospital waiting lists it is outrageous that this should be closed,” he said.
“The Endoscopy Room is in place, with equipment ready, and lying idle despite the fact that there is a waiting list of over 200 people for gastrointestinal Endoscopy procedures in Portlaoise. The doors of this unit are closed simply because of a lack of staff. This is appalling and needs to be addressed immediately.
Deputy Stanley said the HSE state that “the staffing of this Endoscopy Room is included in the estimates for 2018.”
He noted that a spokesperson for the HSE has since been quoted as saying it “forms part of service planning discussions for 2018.”
“This is very disappointing and obviously the fact that it simply forms part of the planning discussions for 2018 offers no guarantee that it will open next year either.
Staffing
“This staffing issue for endoscopy is just one of a number affecting Portlaoise Hospital. There has not been an Eye Specialist/Doctor in place since last November. I have submitted a question to the Minister on this dreadful situation and am currently waiting on a response,” he said.
“No progress is going to be made on tackling the massive waiting lists at our hospitals until gaps in services like these are filled. Promises by the Minister and government spokespersons, that they are working to reduce waiting lists rings hollow. The HSE now need to put in place the people needed to staff these units in Portlaoise Hospital,” Deputy Stanley said.
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