On the programme today we heard from Professor Collette Cowan, the new CEO of the University of Limerick Hospitals Group. She says she disagrees with local nurses concerns over how to deal with overcrowding. Professor Cowan says she believes moving patients to trolleys on wards provides an incentive to staff to keep people moving through the system, despite claims by INMO that the practice is unsafe. Addressing local media in Limerick on Thursday evening, Professor Cowan also outlined how she had put a cap on trolly numbers in the emgency department to 20 since she took over the running of the hospital, but that cap was broken twice this week alone
Not surprisingly, Emergency Department overcrowding was the main topic of discussion as the Hospital CEO spoke to local reporters.
Retail Excellence Ireland this morning released its Irish Retail Industry Sales Review for the fourth quarter from October 1st to December 31st2014. The data, which has been collected with inputs from GfK Retail and Technology Ireland, details a number of positives for the Retail industry in Ireland.
John Cooke spoke to Seán Murphy, Deputy CEO who said “Quarter Four 2014 recorded an annualised like for like growth in sales of 4.22%, the largest quarterly gain recorded in the Irish Retail Industry since Quarter Two 2007. Most sectors recorded strong gains with the Jewellery sector being the outstanding performer, recording a 14.91% increase against Quarter Four 2013.
The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O'Sullivan TD, came on the programme to tell John about the launch of a new energy initiative from the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB). The new initiative “Lets Conserve Energy Together Better” was held at the Limerick College of Further Education. The new programme will see the LCETB become the first educational training board in the country to undertake such an energy initiative with 49 facilities participating in the initiative across Limerick and Clare.
John also spoke to Minister O'Sullivan about the teachers strike this week in relation to Junior Cycle reform. Jan O’Sullivan said that the strike action called by teacher unions was disproportionate and unnecessary. “Reform of the Junior Cycle is important and is a policy priority. One education partner cannot be allowed to block this important reform. The voices of parents, students, school management and other partners are equally important in this debate. They support the fair and reasonable proposal I tabled in talks last November. Their mandate and opinion deserves equal recognition in relation to Junior Cycle reform.
John Cooke also asked the Minister about the hospital overcrowding issue and particularly at the Limerick University Hospital. Minister O'Sullivan said she has pressed Leo Varadkar on fast-tracking the new A&E unit at the Hospital and confirmed to Clare FM that her cabinet colleague is reviewing the ongoing issues at the region's main hospital.
The Friday Panel this week consisted of Peter O'Connell, Clare Champion, Roisin Garvey, An Taisce Green School Officer and John Cullinane, President of the local St. Vincent de Paul.
Together with John Cooke, the panel reflected on the big stories of the week including: Health Minister Leo Varadkar coming out as gay at the weekend, the Referendum on Marriage Equality, the Blake's Corner Ennistymon issue, the teachers strike and the Peoples Debate.
Willie McGrath from the West Clare Mini Marathon was in studio to talk about the 17th Annual West Clare Mini Marathon which takes place on Sunday 25th January along the route from Doonbeg to Kilkee. Money raised from the marathon goes towards providing services for cancer patients.
Highlights from Morning Focus can be heard on clare.modus.ie/podcasts and if you have any comments or suggestions, email focus@clare.fm
