New local injuries unit open at Ennis hospital

CLARE patients will only be able to get treatment for minor injuries and non-life threatening medical illnesses at Ennis hospital from next week.

The Emergency Department is being converted into a Local Injury Unit (LIU) and Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) on Monday as part of a radical change in the delivery of acute care in the Mid-West.

The LIU will be open 12 hours a day from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week while the MAU will stay open for 10 hours a day from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

These two new units will only be open from 8am to 6pm five days a week from Monday to Friday.

Twenty-four accident and emergency services were removed from Ennis hospital in April 2009 despite over 10 years of protests and campaigns about “downgrading” by the Ennis Hospital Development Committee.

The latest change finally brings some of the main recommendations outlined in the so-called Hanley Report back in 2003, which prompted large demonstrations in Ennis into fruition.

Deputy Timmy Dooley expressed concern about the reduction in emergency services at Ennis hospital particularly the opening hours of the MAU.

The Fianna Fáil deputy said the reconfiguration overhaul he supported despite trenchant opposition from Fine Gael and Labour representatives didn’t propose such a dramatic reduction in services.

“I am bemused at the attempts by Government representatives to ‘spin’ this as a good news story when they were elected on the basis of opposing the same reconfiguration process.

“I believe the new changes will not meet the needs of Clare people. There have already been significant changes in the admission policy for Clare elderly patients at University Hospital, Limerick, which puts more pressure on its Emergency Department.

“I believe it is wrong to reduce services even further in Ennis without putting in the necessary resources in UL,” he said.

The LIU will only treat adult patients and children aged over five with minor injuries such as suspected broken bones, sprains and strains, facial injuries, minor scalds and burns.

This unit is led by a consultant in Emergency Medicine and staffed by registrars, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, multi-task attendants and clerical staff. People can self refer to the Local Injury Unit or be referred by their GP/Shannondoc.

The MAU will see patients who are referred by their GPs with certain symptoms that may require hospital admission such as chest infections and chronic diseases including asthma and diabetes.

Patients referred to the MAU will be seen by a senior doctor with ready access to diagnostics such as x-rays, blood tests and scans. 

This facilitates early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment, which results in patients being discharged earlier, reduces the volume of medical admissions and shortens the length of time patients spend in hospital.

Shannondoc/GPs can also admit medical patients directly to the hospital outside the opening times of the MAU, following discussion with the medical and nursing staff.

According to the HSE, this latest reorganisation is being done as part of an ongoing program to improve patient safety and efficiency.

“The Small Hospitals Framework published in May 2013 sets out a very clear role for hospitals such as Ennis.  Ennis hospital has a pivotal role in treating patients from Clare, many of whom live in remote rural locations,” said a HSE spokesman.

Describing the new services as a welcome addition to health services,  Deputy McNamara said they are the latest in a series of developments costing €12m, which has resulted in the transformation of the hospital.

“Ennis hospital is now busier than ever. Surgical activity has increased from 2,723 procedures in 2010 to 4,585 in 2012 and Ennis is now the centre for bowel cancer screening in the region. The MAU will enable patients to have rapid access to a consultant physician, resulting in earlier diagnosis and reduction if not elimination of the need for a hospital admission,” he said.

While it is best practice not to treat  children under five  at the hospital, he acknowledged it is difficult to explain this a parent whose small child has had a fall in the crèche or the backyard.

He said he understood the HSE expects to introduce three additional intermediate ambulances between Ennis and Limerick hospitals next September.

The Clare Champion understands that an ambulance based in West Clare is under discussion following representations from Deputy Pat Breen.