HSE boss does the rounds in Laois at on the up Portlaoise hospital

The boss of Ireland's health service has done the rounds of Portlaoise hospital nearly a decade after it came under that national spotlight and almost suffered a HSE-driven downgrade.

On Tuesday, November 7 the HSE CEO Bernard Gloster made his first visit to the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise following his attendance at a National Advance Practice Nurse Conference in the Midlands Park Hotel.

Mr Gloster's visit was part of a series of visits to hospitals and services around the country to meet with management and frontline healthcare workers since his appointment earlier in 2023.  

During the the Laois hospital tour, Mr Gloster was told about developments such as the new respiratory assessment unit under construction, a new ambulatory care unit which is part of the ED triage process for improved patient flow. He also heard from nursing and midwifery staff and senior clinicians in the ED, Maternity Department, and in the Inpatient Ward areas.

He met with Gemma Delaney Hyland who has received HSE sponsorship to complete a general nursing degree following 18 years working in Portlaoise hospital as a Multi-Task Attendant. Mr. Gloster wished Gemma the very best for the beginning of her nursing career and commended her for her determination and work ethic and commitment to pursing her career as a general nurse.

Student nurses Catriona Dillon from Portlaoise and Glen Tobin from Mountrath who started their student nurse placement in Portlaoise hospital also had an opportunity to speak with Mr Gloster and talk to their decisions for starting out in their nursing career. Glen previously worked as a porter in the Hospital and Catriona has just completed her secondary education.

He was welcomed by John Joyce, Hospital Manager and Trevor O’Callaghan, CEO of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and the wider hospital management team. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

MRHP Management pic (L-R): Eileen Whelan, Sarah Lodge, Olivia Lafferty, Dolores Fall, Keith Lawlor, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster, Fergus Fenlon, John Connaughton, Kathleen Ward, Eadaoin Cooke, Emma Mullins, Trevor O'Callaghan, John Joyce

“Thank you to Bernard Gloster for his time to hear about the new developments in Portlaoise hospital. We are committed to continuing this important work to enhance the quality of services for patients and the wider community,” said Mr O’Callaghan.

Mr Joyce said staff were very pleased to have the HSE CEO visit and see the ongoing developments and hear about our future plans and challenges.

"It was great to have him meet with staff and directly hear from them on their services. Portlaoise hospital is very busy and that is appreciated as a high priority for us all. Our ongoing work on patient pathways and new developments such as the respiratory assessment unit, AMAU (Acute Medical Assessment Unit) and ambulatory care unit are focused on improving the quality and safety of patient care for our population. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Olivia Lafferty, Gemma Delaney Hyland and Bernard Gloster

Olivia Lafferty is Director of Nursing at the Laois hospital.

“We are very proud of the services in Portlaoise hospital and all our staff working right across the hospital. I am very pleased Mr. Gloster got to meet with Gemma, Catriona and Dillon, who demonstrated how we are working to encourage and professionally develop and support all staff to have a fulfilling career in Portlaoise Hospital. The foundation of our services is the people who work here,” she said.

Portlaoise hospital is a 'wonderful place' with 'effective' A&E' says new inspection report

The Health Information and Quality Authority recently delivered a positive report on the facility which was at the centre of a national storm in 2014 after a Prime Time investigation revealed avoidable deaths of babies at the hospital. This culminated in a HSE plan to downgrade the hospital by 2022.

However, public pressure combined with investment and reforms meant downgrade was avoided. HIQA recently said the Emergency Department, which was due to close in the downgrade plan, is not operating effectively.