Yesterday Morning Focus received an unprecedented reaction to local consultant Obstetrician at the Midwestern Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick Doctor Gerry Burke’s concerns that the HSE has no plans to deal with 47 midwives leaving the hospital in February – He said that lives of women and babies could be lost
The maternity hospital provides care to over 6-thousand women and about 5-thousand-200 newborn infants in the mid-west – including Clare – every year
The HSE issued a statement to us saying contingency plans are being developed to cover any gaps that may arise in staffing as a result of midwives retiring at the end of next month
On Thursday’s Morning Focus we heard from Minister for Health James Reilly who assured that contingency plans will be in place to deal with these retirements TD
Clare Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen and Fianna Fail’s Timmy Dooley joined John to discuss
Mary Fogarty of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said they would like to know the specifics of the HSE plan to cope with the retirements in February and urged the HSE is being urged to issue "phased out" contracts to midwives, like those being given to teachers retiring during exam years
Michelle Amara, a Clarecastle mother of two, spoke about her experience in the neonatal unit of the Maternity and the fantastic standard of care she experienced. She said she hopes this quality isn’t compromised by the situation and retired Midwife and Ennis woman Phil O’Halloran spoke about the vital importance of experience in widwifery.
The revised version of angling bye-Law no 888 was signed in to Law by Minister of state at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Fergus O’Dowd this year
It provides for the prohibition of certain angling practices
John Cooke was joined in studio by Gerry Kenny of the Ennis District Anglers Group and Munster Anglers and Aidan O’Connor, PRO of the Fergus Salmon Anglers to discuss
They maintained that though the revised version does take in to account many of the natural waterway’s used by pike and coarse anglers, however sections such as the Fergus, and it’s lake’s have not been amended
They say this will have a huge impact to local B&B owner’s who rent boat’s to visiting anglers from Europe
The new laws make it illegal to use anything other than a ”single barb-less hook’ for all species including pike, they reckon it also makes the use of worms as bait illegal Also, Ennis businessman and keen angler Tadgh Kelly joined them to speak about a petition he has going in Ennis town against this new byelaw
Agrees that it will be detrimental to tourism and ultimately lead to the loss of Irish traditions to future generations.
Inland Fisheries Ireland – Limerick Director Amanda Mooney joined John on the line during the discussion to outline the purpose of Byelaw 888
She said it is broadly a Salmon conservation measure. See www.inlandfisheriesireland.ie
Chairperson of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy Mary Lalor had a word with John ahead of their the two day conference that gets underway today
Psychotherapists are trained to relate to and treat people who are distressed, working to alleviate personal suffering and encourage change
When people are seeking the services of a psychotherapist it is important that they know where to find a well-trained and experienced psychotherapist
The Council maintains a register of psychotherapists to help people choose the proper and appropriate help- this register provides the names of professionals who have undergone in-depth training and who are committed to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct.
CLDC’s Spring Training Programme offers individuals who have been unemployed for 12 months or more and who are in receipt of a Social Welfare payment the opportunity to up skill themselves and increase their chances of gaining employment
Between 200 and 250 places are being made available for a range of courses which get underway during February in Ennis, Kilrush, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay and Scarriff
Courses include micro-enterprise training, beginners and intermediate computer training, and a module dedicated to helping individuals improve skills in networking, communicating with potential employers, cover letters, CV’s, presentation skills
Samantha McCarthy, Education and Training Coordinator at Clare Local Development Company
joined John in studio to explain how people can get in touch and apply.Contact 065 6866800 or emai [email protected]
To contact the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
