Local Councillor Charlie O’Connor raised local health issues at the monthly meeting of the Regional Health Forum Dublin Mid Leinster held in Tullamore. He called for action on the waiting lists at Tallaght University Hospital and sought assurances.
He was told by Trevor O’Callaghan, the CEO of Dublin Midlands Hospital Group that “Over the last 12 months Tallaght University Hospital has made a concerted effort to reduce waiting lists. The number of patients waiting over 12 months on the hospital outpatient waiting lists is down 14%. Similarly the number of patients waiting over 12 months on the inpatient and endoscopy lists are down 37% and 70% respectively. The greatest reduction can be seen in the day case waiting lists. Due to the opening of the Reeves Day Surgery Centre the number of patients waiting over 12 months for day case surgery is down 89%. Tallaght University Hospital remains committed to continuing this very positive improvement in their waiting lists.”
Councillor O’Connor told the meeting that this is an important issue for his community and the wider catchment area and promised to maintain pressure in the matter.
On another subject, Charlie O’Connor also asked about proposals for the use of the site of the former nursing home at Crooksling and received a report from Mary O’Kelly, the Chief Officer that “The HSE has notified Minister Donnelly’s Office that the site of the former Nursing Home at Crooksling has been made known to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Heritage as a vacant property which they may wish to consider in response to the Humanitarian crisis. OPW, acting on behalf of the Department of Housing have been in touch with HSE Capital & Estates indicating their intention to inspect the site. HSE Capital & Estates await the confirmation of a suitable date for inspection. The Minister’s Office has asked us to keep him informed.”
