Concern has emerged in Clare that the introduction of Regional Health Areas isn’t being delivered with the urgency required.
A radical shake up of the HSE structure has this week been approved by cabinet and Dr Michael Harty, who was a member of the committee which produced the Sláintecare report, believes it should correct the disparity in funding for this area.
The Government has this week approved the introduction of Regional Health Areas, which will see one person in charge of service delivery in the six regions and a slimmed down central HSE overseeing national policy.
The system will be introduced in a phased manner from next year and will be fully operational by 2024, with each area having its own dedicated budget based on population.
It’s hoped devolving power to the regions will improve healthcare by allowing local managers to look after local issues.
A North Clare member of the Midwest Hospital Campaign says she’s ‘hopeful’ the implementation of key areas of Slaintecare will address serious healthcare concerns in this region.
Ennistymon woman Marie McMahon, whose husband passed away on a trolley in 2018, says short term measures are needed as well as long term goals.
A Clare member of the committee behind the Sláintecare report says up until now the Midwest has suffered from 20% less funding than other regions of a similar size, which meant less resources for managing issues like overcrowding and hospital waiting lists.
Former Clare Independent TD and now retired GP, Dr Michael Harty says it’s evident that centralising HSE structures didn’t work and that a change was needed.
Dr Harty is confident that this will be a “far cry” from the old healthboard system and that it will correct disparity in funding for this area.
But he’s concerned about the length of time it will take to fully implement the plan.
