The HSE has welcomed an agreement which has allowed the doors of St Joseph’s Hospital in Ennis to remain open.
Earlier this year, the HSE appealed a decision by HIQA to place restrictions on new admissions to the public care facility, after the health watchdog raised concerns.
It’s now been confirmed that those restrictions will no longer apply as Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill reports:
You can listen to that interview in full below
In a first of its kind legal case earlier this year, the HSE lodged an appeal against a HIQA decision to restrict new admissions to St Joseph’s Hospital.
The Health Authority raised concerns about the living conditions of residents there, saying there was an institutionalised culture, and concerns about the building itself.
A court hearing was held on the matter, but this was adjourned after an agreement was reached between both sides, and further negotiations have now led HIQA to inform the HSE that it intends to re-register all 120 beds there, without any restriction.
HSE MidWest Chief Officer Bernard Gloster says a number of steps have been taken to improve living conditions at the hospital.
The centre is earmarked for a major new build by 2021 under the Government’s Capital Programme and in the meantime, a programme of improvements are ongoing.
Its expected that the process will formally conclude tomorrow, when solicitors for the HSE will ask Judge Patrick Durcan to strike out the case.
Bernard Gloster says today is an important day for the people in Clare.
