Concerns as opening of stroke unit delayed again
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
By Brendan Furlong and Fiachra Cionnaith
A stroke unit due to open in Cork last month after two years of delays will remain closed until at least September.
Dr ine Carroll, HSE national director of clinical strategy and programmes, told the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee in May that the unit would be open last month.
However, the introduction of a temporary day surgical unit at the hospital, and claims of inadequate staffing levels, have caused yet more delays to the opening of the stroke unit.
The opening of the facility, which will eventually work in tandem with another unit at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork City, was to bring to nine the number of units set up via the HSE National Stroke Programme.
The HSE aimed to establish units in Dublin, the midlands, the north east, the south east, the west, Cork, and Limerick.
The HSEs joint national clinical lead for stroke, Prof Joe Harbison, said the opening of the CUH unit had been slower than aimed for because of the temporary day surgical unit. However, it is understood inadequate staffing, technical and data protection issues have also impacted on the situation.
Barry Dempsey, Irish Heart Foundation chief executive, said any delays to such a vital service are unacceptable and put patients needlessly at risk.
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Concerns as opening of stroke unit delayed again