Tag Archives: HSE chief executive Paul Reid

DEPUTY Cathal Crowe has clashed verbally with retiring HSE chief executive, Paul Reid about who advised the government not to proceed with an elective-only hospital in the Mid-West against the wishes of the UL Hospitals’ Group. Speaking at a recent Joint Oireachtas Health Committee, Deputy Crowe questioned Mr Reid about the identify of HSE officials who influenced government policy to proceed with elective-only hospitals in three locations – Dublin, Cork and Galway. Mr Reid said he had previously told Deputy Crowe the HSE would jointly inform Minister Donnelly of the inputs into the elective hospitals plan. Those inputs have been taken on board. “I have no doubt University Hospital Limerick seeks one and I understand the concern on it but other parts of the country have made the same case to me as well,” said Mr Reid. “We have taken all those inputs and, ultimately, it is for the Minister to recommend to Government. That is the legitimate process of …

HSE chief executive, Paul Reid visited health services in Limerick and Clare this week as part of a series of visits to services around the country. Councillor Cillian Murphy described this visit as a “farewell tour”. During his visit, Mr Reid met staff involved in a range of initiatives and heard in particular about how acute and community services are collaborating and integrating to improve health outcomes. An important element of the visit was to acknowledge and thank staff for their work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a HSE press statement. At University Hospital Limerick, he saw specific services designed to reduce Emergency Department waiting times and avoid hospital admission for patients who would be better cared for in appropriate services in the community. He spoke to the team promoting early stroke discharge, which is leading to better outcomes and less use of acute beds, visited the cancer directorate, which is eliminating ED delays for cancer patients, and heard …

HEALTH specialists from the HSE’s Performance Management Team have started a review of the management of the Emergency Department in UHL. Responding to questions from Senator Martin Conway at a Health Committee meeting this week, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said these specialists would be working with the clinical and management team to address issues at the hospital. Senator Conway asked Mr Reid what was his view on the need for an independent review of overcrowding in UHL, which has been requested by the staff and nursing unions. Mr Reid said the issues affecting the ED in UHL were different than Galway and didn’t support the call for an independent review as he felt their specialist team had the expertise to look at patient flow and other factors that are impacting on the hospital. National HSE acute operations director, Liam Woods said while the situation at UHL is not unique, he acknowledged attendance growth is one of the highest nationally …

THE vaccination roll-out against Covid-19 have been disrupted by a setback following the cancellation of clinics in a South-East Clare Mass Vaccination Centre. The UL Hospitals’ Group confirmed earlier this week that all clinics and appointments using the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, including those at the Mid-West Vaccination Centre in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Meelick, have been deferred in line with the national guidance. This decision was taken after the national HSE temporarily deferred the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine in Ireland, after a request from the Chief Medical Officer, with effect from Sunday March 14th. The HSE stated on Thursday it was reviewing this deferral after a ruling from the European Medicines Agency stated the AstraZeneca vaccine is “safe and effective”.   HSE chief executive Paul Reid has pledged the agency will respond quickly to whatever decision is recommended by the National Immunisation Advisory Committee. The National Immunisation Advisory Committee stated on Friday evening the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine …