The Health Minister says the appointment of a CEO to run the Midwest Group of hospitals including Ennis General will result in some changes to services
Ann Doherty, former head of the National Hospitals Office will take the helm over Clare’s County hospital along with Limerick, Nenagh, Croom and Saint John’s as part of government efforts to bring budget deficits under control and ease chronic A&E overcrowding
Another CEO has also been appointed to take charge of hospitals in the West including Galway, Portiuncula and Roscommon
Each group will have one budget and one employment ceiling
On Monday’s Morning Focus, John Cooke was joined by Deputies Timmy Dooley and Pat Breen to discuss this step and also Mary Fogarty of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, who expressed disappointment that there’s no funding attached to the announcement and also concern that its too late to try and tidy up the mess.
There’s been a cautious welcome to a leaked report into the future of Shannon Airport which recommends its separation from the DAA
Weekend reports say the review carried out by Booz and Company on behalf of the Transport Minister recommends the Mid West facility should be allowed to operate on a stand alone capacity – which would allow it to remain in state hands but compete against Dublin and Cork
It’s understood Minister Leo Varadkar has received the review but no decision on the future of the mid west facility will be made until its brought before Cabinet in early 2012- Deputies Breen and Dooley commented.
With just under two weeks to go until Christmas, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service is reminding householders of the basics of fire safety in the home
The Fire Rescue Service was mobilised to 118 incidents, including 65 fires, during the Christmas period in 2010
42 of the call outs related to chimney fires while fire-fighters also attended 7 house fires
The winter 2010 call out figures were significantly less than those recorded during the corresponding period in 2009, when the Fire Service was mobilised to 135 figures
Denis O’Connell, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer with the Clare Fire Service joined John in studio with some tips for householder
The Fire Service have smoke detectors to be giving out by any community groups or organisations interested in circulating them. Contact 065 684 6302.
Have your say in Clare FM’s online poll:
Where are you doing most of your Christmas shopping?
• Locally/ in Clare 44%
• Galway 6%
• Limerick 21%
• Online 15%
• Elsewhere 14%
Garda Albert Hardiman of Ennis Garda Station joined John for this week’s Garda Focus where he appealed to the public for information on crimes committed in the past seven days
Contact your local Garda station on Ennis Garda Station on 065 68 48 100.
The Phoenix Annual is an iconic review of the year. 2011 was an incredibly busy year with two monumental visits and two elections. Paddy Prendeville, Editor of The Phoenix Annual 2011 spoke with John.
Jim Watkins, a Ballina based retired vet and author of Vetinary Tales joined John in studiofor a chat about his memoirs
Jim is originally a Dub, became a vet in 1957 and practised all over the country
He is Chairperson of the Ballina Tidy Towns Committee
His book is available on www.amazon.co.uk
John Murphy of the Clare branch of Birdwatch Ireland was in studio to answer your bird and wildlife queries.
If you have a comment, query or suggestion for the Morning Focus team email Focus@clare.fm
