Tag Archives: HSE

CLARE Civil Defence Unit’s emergency response capability will be enhanced when two new four-wheel drive vehicles are added to its fleet. The Defence Minister Paul Kehoe has allocated 32 new Ford Ranger crew cabs to the Civil Defence as part of the Government’s ongoing investment in the organisation and two have been earmarked for Clare. “Throughout our response to Covid-19, our Civil Defence and other volunteer agencies played a vital role in their respective communities. From transporting patients to hospitals, nursing homes and testing centres in Clare to the collection of medications and medical equipment – we are rightly proud of our Civil Defence volunteers,” commented Fine Gael TD Joe Carey. He added, “I welcome that the Government is continuing to invest resources in Civil Defence, in this instance through the provision of vehicles. These new vehicles will be an additional resource for those who give their time and work so hard in times of emergency. “This will further enhance …

The HSE has offered over 1,000 appointments at the drive through community test centre at the county GAA grounds of Cusack Park since it opened back in April. However, the HSE has declined to confirm how many if any people tested positive for Covid-19 saying “we do not provide information on individual test centres. The NPHET reports on the numbers tested positive daily”. The Cusack Park community test centre has the capacity to test 200 people per day but the HSE outlined that there hasn’t been the need to test at that level as the public have implemented the government’s Covid-19 guidelines and continue to hold firm. The HSE, however, acknowledged the role of all HSE staff “who continue to show commitment to community testing during this pandemic”. The Cusack Park community test centre opened April 23 last and the Covid -19 test is an appointment based service following a referral completed by a GP, out of hours GP services …

CHAMPIONS are needed in every family and parish across the county in order to win the battle against the coronavirus, according to the CEO of Clare County Council. Making an appeal to the public to continue to stick to government guidelines and to avoid complacency, as Ireland sets out on the road to re-opening, Pat Dowling also thanked the public for their efforts to-date. “We are very grateful for all of the sacrifices everyone has made,” he said. “We understand that there can be slippage and fatigue, but we must continue to comply, and to adapt in order to survive. We have to persevere in order to prevail. We have civil leadership from all of our agencies who continue to collaborate, and who are used to working together for the greater good. What we need now is deeper leadership and people who are willing to be champions of the cause in every family and in every parish, because we must …

AN excellent response by the public has meant far fewer people have gotten sick and died over the last few months but it is not time to let down the guard. That’s the view of Maria Bridgeman, Chief Officer of HSE Mid West Community Healthcare. “The big message now is please, please hold firm. I will be working with my colleagues in the local authority and the gardaí in relation to this message. The long weekend is coming and people often head away or to the beach but we are asking people to hold firm and stick with the guidance. “Everyone needs to look out for each other and continue the measures. These sacrifices that people are making, while I absolutely know they are difficult, is what has got us to this point. We want to get this country restarted but it can only be done in a slow, managed and safe way.” She agreed that the predictions being made …

CLARE GP and former Dáil deputy, Dr Michael Harty has said the while the ongoing ban on visitors to nursing homes was “a dilemma”, the time was not yet right to lift restrictions. The Kilmihil-based GP said that, despite a call from the nursing homes regulator to look at allowing visits, the overriding concern had to be keeping Covid-19 out. Earlier this week, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) called on health officials to examine ways of easing restrictions, over concern for the welfare of residents. “For elderly people, isolation from family and visitors is very restrictive,” Dr Harty said. “But, we must balance the dilemma that poses with keeping the virus out. Given the devastating impact that Coronavirus can have, the balance probably comes down in favour of the restrictions.” Noting that some nursing homes were facilitating families to see residents at their bedroom windows, or by video call, Dr Harty said that these were the preferred option …

A WEST Clare company that is steeped in tradition dating back hundreds of years has found itself diversifying radically to stay alive, and to serve the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kilkee Forge, which dates back to the 1700s, and is now run by fifth-generation blacksmith and industrial designer Conor Murray. With his normal bespoke commissions for sculptural projects and outdoor furniture drying up dramatically because of the Coronavirus restrictions, Conor identified a need for protective products for small businesses locally and drew on resources recently acquired by the businesses to create a new line of highly sought after products. “I had to pivot because while our regular lines of work were disappearing, new needs were arising,” he explained. “I could see that, in terms of the protective perspex sneeze guards, that the bigger shops and supermarkets were quickly looked after but the smaller ones weren’t. It seemed that, in West Clare in particular, smaller businesses were being left behind …

With three further positive cases, Clare now has a total of 212 confirmed Covid-19 cases. However, Clare still remains one of the counties with the lowest incidences of the virus at 1.1%. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre announced this evening that a further 18 people have died from Covid-19. There have now been a total of 1,102 related deaths in Ireland from the virus. As of 11am today, the HPSC has been notified of 386 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the overall tally of confirmed cases to 19,648 confirmed cases. The HSE is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread. Today’s data from the HPSC, as of midnight, Saturday 25th April (19,095 cases), reveals:  * 57% are female and 42% are male * the median age of confirmed cases is 49 years * 2,625 cases (14%) have been hospitalised * Of those hospitalised, 353 cases …

A local lobby group has issued a public appeal for donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for nursing homes. Mid-West Hospital Campaign spokesperson Hilary Tonge said nursing homes in the county are struggling to obtain sufficient supplies of PPE. Members of the campaign came together to see the could assist in accessing equipment. “We spoke to groups in other areas who are helping us to source materials and designs to start making PPE,” she said. The group plans to compile a comprehensive list and approach companies and organisations who may be able to supply equipment and use their skills to make products. Campaign member, Marie McMahon from Ennistymon said it has become apparent that hand sanitiser and disposable gowns are in very short supply. Flor McCarthy of Athlunkard Nursing Home confirmed that testing of staff and patients has taken place in the Westbury care facility on Monday. Director of nursing in Ennis Road Care Facility Meelick, Arthur Stritch said he …