Health Minister Simon Harris launched the new Sláintecare Implementation Plan yesterday on Wednesday (August 8th).
The plan is to be a guideline for the future of the health service and includes commitments to reduce hospital waiting times, increase bed capacity and try to disconnect public and private healthcare. However Fianna Fáil has released figures showing that hospital waiting lists are at almost 1 million people. That’s where today’s show began as we talked to Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Clare, John Hillery.
Then, Rape Crisis Midwest is appealing for public support to keep its Ennis service open. While the community has tirelessly worked to ensure their is counselling available for those who need it and the service saw over 300 sessions given last year it was still forced to close twice previously due to funding shortfalls. Verena Tarpey from Rape Crisis Midwest had more details.
If you need the assistance of Rape Crisis Midwest their helpline numbers are 1800 311 511 or 061 311 511 and their website is rapecrisis.ie.
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Ending the show’s first hour was Clare FM’s James Mulhall’s report on Edward Lifesciences first day of operations in Shannon. The plant in Shannon provided 60 new jobs but a further 80 million euro, 600 job plant is being planned for the MidWest as the US medical equipment firm targets Irish expansion. However Clare will have competition from Limerick for that development.
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Moving into the second hour Kieran Shannon, a Sports Columnist for the Irish Examiner discussed the resignation of Kerry senior football manager, Eamonn Fitzmaurice. Personal abuse, specifically through anonymous letters and online means was cited as one of the reasons for the resignation and since then Fitzmaurice has been openly critical of these abusers especially those who target the players. Following Fitzmaurice’s confessions Limerick hurling manager John Kiely has revealed that he’s also received abusive mail, Mayo boss James Horan admits he had to get Gardaí involved during his time in charge of the Westerners and former Clare boss has been very open with his experiences.
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Then, in its continuing efforts to conserve water Irish Water has asked people to make use of a series of devices from dual flush toilets to water butts to shower timers. To find out what Ennis thinks of Irish Water’s advice and whether it thinks it could take a shower in under four minutes Clare FM’s Ryan Hanton took to the streets.
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Finally, you may remember singing teacher Maria Woods from the show in January. Maria has made it her mission to get people who think they can’t sing to sing. Since January she has found success with many students one of which, Patricia McInerney, joined her on the show. Maria is even putting together a choir for her students. If you’re interested you can reach Maria on 087 326 9234 or [email protected].
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