On Wednesday’s Morning Focus Consultant Obstetrician at the Midwestern Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick Doctor Gerry Burke spoke with John Cooke about the frightening staffing situation at the hospital with the upcoming retirement of midwives next month
The senior doctor at the Mid-Western Maternity Hospital in Limerick has said the HSE has no plans to deal with 47 midwives leaving the hospital in February – and that mothers and babies may die because of this
Dr Burke is saying that, by the end of February, the maternity hospital in Limerick stands to lose 47 out of 200 midwives in the HSE’s retirement scheme
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 has issued a statement 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
Shannon Councillor Sean McLoughlin reacted to Dr Burke’s comments saying he thought it was irresponsible and tantamount to scaremongering to suggest lives could be lost
Independent Councillor Patricia McCarthy said that contingency plans must be put in place to ensure a proper service and gaurantee safe delivery.
Morning Focus was inundated with comments on this issue- if you would like to comment further please email [email protected]
People claiming unemployment benefits will soon be given limited periods of time to get off the Live Register.
The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton will outline details of the so called ‘Prediction of Exit’ scheme next week – as part of efforts to address the jobs crisis.
The EU, ECB and IMF want people who fail to avail of work, training or up skilling opportunities to face financial penalties for not co-operating.
It is reported that every unemployed person in the country will be given what is termed a "prediction of exit" date under the plan
It is understood that if they fail to make progress by this date, they will be called to an interview to explain why and could have their benefits cut if they fail to cooperate
Brid doesn’t believe adopting a ‘big-stick’ approach will help to resolve the jobs crisis
John Stewart of the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed discussed.
Clare Samaritans are urging people to get in touch if they have skills to be a support volunteer – this would mean work in administration or fundraising
Director of the Clare Samaritans Gerry Dobbins and Philip Browne, the Volunteer Care Director joined John in studio and asked interested people to come along to an open day this Saturday at 10am at the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis
Contact Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90.
The first group of Clare volunteers headed over to the Sr Ethel Normoyle project in Port Elizabeth, SA last Sunday
Group 1 will complete the block work on the 6 classroom extension to the existing primary school, with Group 2 following behind one week later to complete the roof section of the building – they arrive next week
In all, over 40 volunteers will make the journey to Missionvale
John spoke with Ollie O’Loughlin from Ennis, the Chairperson of the Missionvale Ireland trust and volunteer Tommy McMahon from Kilkishen.www.missionvaleureland.org
Colm Flynn, an independent documentary maker from Ennis is with the volunteers fliming their work. We heard some of the audio Colm recorded with natives in the township in Port Elizabeth.
Contact the Morning Focus team by emailing [email protected]
