Regional health forum minutes - Mid West 24 February

Present

Cllr Michael Collins

Cllr Frances Foley*

Cllr James Ryan

Cllr Bridie Collins*

Cllr Elisa O’Donovan

Cllr JP O’Meara*

Cllr Rita McInerney

Cllr May Howard*

Cllr Liam Galvin*

Cllr Greg Conway *

Cllr Antoinette Baker Bashua*

Absent

Cllr Seamie Morris

Cllr Phyll Bugler

Cllr Sharon Benson

*attended online

Ms Maria Bridgeman, IHA Manager, HSE Limerick City and Tipperary North and executive Chair, Mid West Regional Health Forum

Mr Ian Carter, CEO Mid West Acute and Older Persons Services, HSE Mid West

Mr Niall Murray, General Manager Area Operations, National Ambulance Service

Ms Catherine Peters, Regional Clinical Director, HSE Mid West

Ms Elaine Connolly, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, HSE Mid West

Ms Michelle Cullinane, RHF Office, HSE Mid West

Ms Mikeala McMahon, RHF Office, HSE Mid West

Apologies

Ms Sandra Broderick, Regional Executive Officer, HSE Mid West

Mr Joe Hoare, Assistant National Director for Capital & Estates Mid West

The inaugural meeting of RHF Mid West was opened and chaired by Ms Maria Bridgeman, IHA Manager, Limerick City and Tipperary North and Executive Chair of the Mid West Regional Health Forum. Ms Bridgeman welcomed members to the meeting and called for nominations for the position of chairperson.

Cllr Michael Collins was nominated by Cllr Bridie Collins and seconded by Cllr Rita McInerney and was deemed elected unopposed. Cllr Michael Collins took over as chairperson. Cllr Michael Collins briefly addressed the meeting and noted that he was delighted to be elected the first chairperson of RHF Mid West. He then called for nominations for the position of vice chairperson.

Cllr Rita McInereny was nominated by Cllr Bridie Collins and seconded by Cllr Michael Collins and was deemed elected unopposed.

The chairperson then called for nominations for the position of chairperson of the RHF Committee. Cllr Bridie Collins was nominated by Cllr Rita McInereny and seconded by Cllr Michael Collins and was deemed elected unopposed.

The chairperson then called for nominations for the position of vice chairperson of the RHF committee. Cllr Frances Foley was nominated by Cllr Bridie Collins and seconded by Cllr Liam Galvin and was deemed elected unopposed.

The meeting was adjourned for five minutes to take photographs of the newly elected officers and members of the HSE Mid West Senior Management Team in attendance.

The chairperson moved to the Adoption of Standing Orders (SO). The SO were proposed by Cllr Liam Galvin and seconded by Cllr Elisa O’Donovan and were adopted unopposed.

The chair offered condolences to Mr Joe Hoare on his family’s bereavement and a minute’s silence was observed.

The Chair invited the presentations to proceed.

Mr Ian Carter presented on Acute and Older Persons Services outlining key challenges facing health services, services provided and regional priorities for 2026.

Ms Maria Bridgeman presented on community services including Primary Care, Disability Services, Mental Health Services, Health and Wellbeing and Support Functions.

Mr Niall Murray presented on the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in the Mid West and provided a regional overview, the services provided and future priorities.

Cllr James Ryan:

a. Requested further information about the services that will be provided in the unscheduled care centre and asked when it will be opening.

b. Requested information on the proposed expansion of Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals.

c. Requested information on the Solace Café.

d. Requested an update on the services provided for people with eating disorders.

e. Expressed concern regarding assessment of needs waiting lists.

f. Requested an update on plans to improve ambulance services in Clare.

Cllr Elisa O’Donovan:

a. Requested further information on the unscheduled care centre.

b. Expressed concerns about Shannondoc.

c. Asked for an update on the future of community midwifery teams.

d. Asked about recruitment in CDNTs and noted long wait times for assessment of needs.

e. Asked if the ambulance base in Rossbrien will create additional capacity for UHL.

Cllr Rita McInerney:

a. Asked if the surgical hub will help improve hip fracture statistics.

b. Asked if there is a plan to increase nursing home beds in Clare.

c. Requested an update on the rural GP incentive scheme.

d. Asked if there is a plan to expand helipad services.

Cllr Liam Galvin:

a. Expressed concern that Abbeyfeale was not successful in its bid for a Family Resource Centre.

Cllr Greg Conway:

a. Expressed disappointment that Kilmallock was not allocated an ambulance base.

Cllr Michael Collins:

a. Requested an update on respite beds available for families of children with disabilities.

Mr Ian Carter outlined that the HSE is looking at locations for the unscheduled care centre in Limerick City. He noted that this centre will provide an easily accessible out-of-hours service for patients who would otherwise attend the Emergency Department at UHL.

Ms Maria Bridgeman noted that Shannondoc is meeting all their targets in terms of their service level agreement. She asked Cllrs to bring specific concerns to her attention. She committed to providing a briefing on Shannondoc to Cllrs.

Ms Maria Bridgeman noted that recruitment in CDNTs is a challenge and that there is huge demand for services. She added that there is no way to incentivise staff. In relation to assessment of needs, Ms Maria Bridgeman noted that the policy does not support meeting demands for assessment of needs. She added that the HSE is using private providers to assist with waiting times.

Mr Niall Murray outlined that the new ambulance base in Rossbrien is likely to be available in early 2027 once the structural building is finished and following fit-out and equipping.

In relation to the community midwifery scheme, Mr Ian Carter outlined that this service is run by independent practitioners and is separate from the HSE.

In relation to hip fracture statistics, Mr Ian Carter noted that the surgical hub would not improve these results as the surgical hub is being developed to address waiting lists. He added that measures are being taken to address hip fractures statistics including protected beds in UHL for these patients.

Mr Ian Carter outlined that significant extra capacity is required in the region in terms of nursing home beds. He added that the private sector plays a vital role in nursing home care provision.

In relation to the rural GP incentive scheme, Ms Maria Bridgeman outlined that there are two rural GP fellowships. Ms Maria Bridgeman also provided details of the International Clinical Fellowship Programme whereby graduate GPs from abroad come to work in Ireland, there are currently 21 in the Mid West. She noted there is also an increase in GP training places.

Mr Niall Murray noted that a third aeromedical space has been confirmed but that the location is yet to be announced.

Ms Maria Bridgeman noted that providing additional support for patients with eating disorders is a priority for HSE Mid West and added that the development of an eating disorder team is progressing.

In relation to ambulance wait times in Clare, Mr Niall Murray outlined that additional resources are expected to come on stream which should help improve waiting times.

In relation to the ambulance base in Kilmallock, Mr Niall Murray outlined that it remains on his list of priorities but that its exclusion was a policy decision. He noted that he will link with the NAS community engagement officer to see how they can support community first responders in Kilmallock.

RHF office to share presentations with members.

RHF office to send out schedule of dates for all RHF meetings.

Ms Maria Bridgeman to contact Cllr Liam Galvin regarding Abbeyfeale Family Resource Centre.

Mr Ian Carter to provide Cllr James Ryan with an update on the proposed expansion of Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals.

Ms Maria Bridgeman to provide Cllr James Ryan with further information on the Solace Café.

Ms Maria Bridgeman to provide Cllr Michael Collins with an update on respite development plans.

a. Shannondoc

b. Site visit to Limerick Surgical Hub

c. Site visit to new ambulance site in Rossbrien

The next Regional Health Forum meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24th March 2025 at 2pm in HSE Mid West, Limerick.

No items raised under AOB

This concluded the business of the meeting.