Portlaoise hospital 'one of best in Ireland' says Minister for Health

The Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is "one of the best performing in Ireland", according to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

Minister Donnelly made the statement on a visit to the hospital just days after it was announced that €14 million is set to be invested into new facilities including an extension.

He also assured staff, local politicians and the Portlaoise hospital action committee who came to meet him, that not a single word has been mentioned in his 2.5 years as Minister, about the previously planned downgrade of Portlaoise.

"Not once has anyone ever mentioned downgrading of services here. There has never been a paper, a conversation, a single comment. We are in the business of investing in this hospital, of growing services. We are in the middle of the biggest build-up of primary care in the state. 

"I know that important posts haven't been filled here. I hope this clarity will help," he said.

He went on to tell the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

"There is no dimunition of any services in the hospital under consideration. Not only are they not under consideration, but they are moving in the opposite direction. We are investing very significantly,” he said.

He praised the performance of the hospital.

"This is a very well run hospital. It is very clear ther is a passion for and in the hospital. What we are seeing is remarkable. The number of people waiting for in-patient day care is down by a third this year, that is as good as any hospital. 

"To achieve what people in this hospital have achieved in the last few years is really difficult, it doesn't come easy, it means longer hours, time away from families, but you can really see the difference here," he said.

"There has been a huge increase in the number of presentations into Emergency, but the numbers being admitted has actually fallen, and the numbers on trolleys I think has fallen 78% which is an extraordinary improvement.

"One of the things I want to hear today from the staff is how they achieved that, and this relentless focus on patient flow, and doing everything around the patient, is a model that a lot of other parts of the HSE could learn from," he said.

Back in 2017 The Health Service Executive had recommended that emergency, maternity, paediatrics, ICU and other services be removed from Portlaoise hospital.

It sparked a monster street march by thousands of people through Portlaoise on this day December 2 in 2017 (below).

The latest investment of €14 million will see the development of a new Respiratory Assessment Unit, an extension to the existing Paediatric Unit, additional accommodation at ground floor and first floor level and other necessary infrastructure improvements.

Minister Donnelly added that a new gynaecological centre opened six months ago is "going to obliterate the waiting list for gynae care in the area and region," praising this as "incredible and impactful".

Tommy Timmons is chair of the Portlaoise hospital action committee. They feel certain that its future is now safe.

"Today is unbelieveable for our committee. We couldn't believe it when this was announced. It is the best Christmas present anyone could get, to know our hospital is safe. The late Kathleen O'Brien was one of our standard bearers, even when she was sick she still fought. I know she is looking down on us now and she is very happy," he said.

Committee member John Hanniffy told the Minister that they are delighted the hospital's future is secure.

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"Five years ago since the Light for Life rally, it was blatantly obvious that our hospital was vital. The response of all the staff has been fantastic. We have a hospital that will be developed for the future, it's part of the town, it's a nice place to live. There is room for more development on this site, thank you so much. We marched and today is the fruit of that," he said.

Minister Sean Fleming thanked the committee who "kept us on our toes and kept the pressure on".

Deputy Brian Stanley said the announcement was welcome progress.

"Your words are very clear, the investment is clear. There was a different plan on paper. It's gone. I don't want to hear of it ever again," he said.