CAT scan funding plea

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has been requested to ring-fence funding for clinical staff to run the new 16-slice diagnostic computer aided tomography (CAT) machine at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis.

Deputy Joe Carey made the call this week after the HSE confirmed that CAT scanning services should be able to resume following a recent three-month suspension.
“I believe that the HSE must ensure that money for the continuation of staffing is ring-fenced so that the service isn’t suspended again,” he said.
The deputy added that the CAT-scanning unit should be available for both inpatients and outpatients.
The Mid-Western Hospital Development Trust provided funding for the capital cost of the scanner following a campaign mounted by former Ennis hospital consultant and board member, Gerry Byrnes over the past 16 years.
A spokesperson for the trust expressed concern that the service was not being provided for people living in Clare and South Galway when it was suspended on September 30 last year.
The HSE provided €1 million to provide a new building to accommodate the CAT scanner, existing ultrasound machine, x-ray and radiology department and the entrance to the accident and emergency department.
A HSE spokesman explained the service had to be suspended in the short term due to the departure of the long-term temporary radiologist at Ennis Hospital, who left to take up employment in the United Kingdom.
The HSE confirmed this week that interviews have taken place for the permanent consultant radiologist post and the successful candidate has been offered the position.
“Pending the permanent consultant taking up the post, a locum radiologist will be employed, which will allow the resumption of a CAT scanning service in February,” a HSE spokesman explained.