Saolta IT ’30 years out of date’ – Canney
IT systems in the Saolta hospital group are 30 years out of date, according to Galway East TD Seán Canney.
He said that this emerged during a recent briefing of Oireachtas members by the Saolta Hospital Group, which operates hospitals in Galway, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal.
“I am baffled as to how a situation was allowed to develop over 30 years where there was no major upgrading of the hospital IT systems. Other hospital groups around the country have up to date systems, which stop duplication and reduce the hours of manual inputting of data required.
“A lack of investment for the past 30 years has led to a situation where urgent investment is needed. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, a system that works well elsewhere in the country can be adopted by the Saolta group and a small investment now in IT could save thousands of labour hours inputting data, much of which is still done manually. A more efficient IT system could free up staff, allowing them to be redeployed to areas where their time and expertise is badly needed, creating a better service for patients.
He said that he is raising this issue with Minister Harris, saying that an efficient IT system across the hospital group is a basic necessity in providing a proper efficient 21st century service.”
Get along to your library says Cannon
Minister for the Diaspora and International Development Ciaran Cannon has called on people of all ages to make a visit to their local library as part of Heritage Week.
Minister Cannon said he would encourage people of all ages to take time to pay a visit to their local library over Heritage Week and delve into the collection of literature available.
“Our libraries were never better equipped to meet the interests of all ages and the move to a common system management software programme earlier this year means that anyone with a library card can now access any of the 15m titles held in libraries across the nation.
Few people seem to be aware that with a library card they can access and download over 200 free e-magazines to their phone, tablet or PC and I particularly welcome the news that libraries across Galway, including Loughrea and Tuam, have now installed SurfBox kiosks, a self-service facility allowing customers to print, scan and photocopy. With mobile phone ownership now at an all-time high and smartphone access by Irish consumers at almost 90%, these kiosks are a sign that our libraries are very much moving with the times. Libraries continue to be a facility as significant to Irish communities as the local town hall and as Ernest Hemingway said ‘There is no friend as loyal as a book’.
Breakthrough on Carna post office issue
Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources and Digital Development Seán Kyne has confirmed that An Post will advertise the vacant contract to provide post office services in Carna.
This follows the ending of the previous contract. The tendering process will initially take three weeks followed by the assessment of tenders. In the interim customers will continue to access services in the nearby post office at Kilkerrin until the service in Carna is restored.
Minister Kyle said that he welcomes progress on the issue.
“It is important now that Post Office Services resume as soon as possible in Carna. I was pleased to arrange a meeting between An Post and the local committee to try to clarify and resolve the issues involved,” he concluded.
Galway songwriter wins prestigious song writing award for a second time
Galway songwriter Pete Gilroy has won the Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition 2017 with his song entry “Rosie”. This is the second time Pete has won the competition, having previously been successful with his entry “The Meeting” in 2010. The prestigious award was decided on due to Pete’s way of weaving words around his melodic musical phrases. Pete is recording and producing the song “Rosie” in studio this week.
The competition, now in its twenty fourth year, took place in Fingue, Co. Kerry, as part of the Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend. The festival centres around the Sean McCarthy Ballad Competition, which is one of the most recognised song writing competition in the country.
Following his fantastic win Gilroy said “I’m honoured to receive such a celebrated award for song writing. This means a huge amount to me as the talent in the competition was of an incredibly high standard. Song writing is part of me and to receive an accolade like this is a huge boost. I’m looking forward to sharing my music with a wider audience around Galway and Ireland over the coming months.”
Pete Gilroy has been writing songs and playing music for over thirty seven years. Born in Foster Street Galway, Pete came from a home which centred around music and where musical talent was encouraged from a young age.
Pete played with a variety of bands over that period covering many styles depending on the gig.
