News in brief from around the county
Tributes paid to late Jimmy Glacken
Local Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has paid tribute to the late Jimmy Glacken, Bonniconlon, who served as an elected member of Mayo County Council from 1987 to 1991. Deputy Calleary said: "Jimmy was a wonderful councillor. A voice on Mayo County Council for the small farmer, for rural communities and for road services. He was imbedded in community life in Bonniconlon and Bofield and North Mayo, particularly in the GAA where he a champion of underage GAA. He worked tirelessly on the Council having been co-opted in 1987 and he was a wonderful character, a friendly and courteous gentleman and great company together with his wife Maureen. Fianna Fáil in Bonniconlon and Ballina has lost a very loyal servant and friend – Jimmy was a great person who will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him."
Sixty five routine procedures cancelled in MUH so far this year
There were 65 routine procedures cancelled in Mayo University Hospital (MUH ) from January to date. The information was sought by Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne at the latest Regional Health Forum, which took place this week. In a written response to his question, Ann Cosgrove, COO for Saolta Health Care Group informed the councillor that in January and February there were 21 routine procedures cancelled, with nine in March, seven in October, two in November and one in each of April, May, June and July.
Calleary calls on shoppers to shop local this Christmas
Fianna Fáil TD for Mayo, Dara Calleary, is calling on shoppers to remember to shop local this Christmas to help support retailers and businesses on their doorstep. Deputy Calleary commented: "We all know how difficult the last 18 months or so have been for local retailers and businesses. Throughout it all they have managed to adapt quickly and have continued to provide products and services. This Christmas, we can all show our thanks, and help support retailers and businesses, by remembering to shop local. If we all decided to buy even just a gift or two from a local retailer this Christmas, it would have a major impact on the local economy. It can help maintain jobs and ensure that our much-loved local businesses not only survive, but in time, thrive. This will help sustain our towns and villages as the centres of our local communities. Throughout the pandemic, as we spent more time living locally, we have grown to realise the importance of our local retailers and businesses more than ever before. Local shops are part of the very fabric and tradition of all our communities. Many of these local shops hold cherished memories for us throughout our lives. Supporting them this Christmas will go a long way towards creating more special memories in the years to come."
Thousands still waiting for appointments in MUH
Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne queried the number of patients of Mayo University Hospital (MUH ) waiting for an appointment at the recent Regional Health Forum. Cllr Kilcoyne submitted the following written question to the forum: "How many people have been waiting for appointments at Mayo University Hospital for up to one year, for one-two years for two-three years and for over three years?" In response to his query, Ann Cosgrove, COO for Saolta Health Care Group in a written reply stated that, there were 1,424 in patient and day cases and 7,431 outpatients in the 0 to 1 year band, in the one to two year band, there were 557 inpatient and day case, and 2,947 outpatients. In the two to three year band there were 305 inpatient and day cases and 1,300 outpatients and for those waiting over three years there were 153 inpatient and day cases and 1,675 outpatients.
Extension of Hot School Meals Programme announced - Dillon
Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon this week welcomed an extension of the Hot Schools Meals Programme by his Government Colleague, Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, which will benefit up to 16,000 additional primary school pupils in Ireland. Deputy Dillon said: "This announcement will see an additional two Mayo schools invited to join the programme. The schools being invited to participate are Dookinella National School, Keel, Achill and Scoil Iosa, Convent Hill, Ballina. These schools are currently availing of the cold lunch option under the School Meals Programme; today’s announcement will enable primary school pupils to receive a hot, nutritious meal every school day. The Hot School Meals Programme is an important initiative in terms of a child’s wellbeing and nutrition. I hope that we can see further progress in the coming months that will result in future expansions of this really important programme once again."
Two medical misadventure verdicts in past two years
Two verdicts of medical misadventure were recorded by the coroner on patients who died in Mayo University Hospital (MUH ) in the past two years. Coroner Patrick O'Connor responded to a written question from Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne at the latest Regional Health Forum with a written response where Cllr Kilcoyne had asked: "How many inquests were held in the past two years, regarding people who died at Mayo University Hospital, where the verdict of the inquests were Medical Misadventure?"
Councillor queries number of patients on trolleys at MUH
Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne queried the number of patients on trolleys at Mayo University Hospital ahead of the recent Regional Health Forum. In in written question he asked: "Why are there so many people on trolleys at Mayo University Hospital?" In response to his question, Ann Cosgrove, COO for Saolta Health Care Group in a written reply stated: " MUH, similar to hospitals right around the country, is dealing with increasing levels of attendances to its Emergency Department. This increase is resulting in a greater number of admissions to the hospital. The care needs of many of these patients require a greater length of stay in hospital.Covid-19 is also continuing to have a significant impact on bed capacity. Covid takes, on average, somewhere between 10 and 25 beds out of the system either caring for patients with the virus directly or as a result of bed closures caused by Covid restrictions. This results in a reduced in-patient capacity. Despite having beds open in St. Johns this is impacting on the site. As a result of Covid-19 all Emergency Departments are currently running two pathways to stream patients. To staff these pathways, nursing staff who previously worked in the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU ) are now working in the Acute Covid Assessment Unit (ACAU ) which is 24hours per day, 7 days per week. MUH is currently recruiting to re-open the AMAU. It will open 3 days per week from the 6th of December. It is anticipated that this service will increase up to a 6 day service in early 2022 as more staff come on stream from an International recruitment campaign. This in turn will allow us to re-instate direct access from GP’s back into the AMAU again in early 2022.
Mayo Community groups urged to apply for The Community Activities Fund - Ring
Michael Ring TD has urged community groups in Mayo impacted by COVID-19 to apply to Mayo County Council for The Community Activities Fund. Mayo County Council will have a fund of €290,406 to support community groups with their running costs, such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment. Deputy Ring said: "We depend hugely on community groups in Mayo and I hope that this funding will help them to continue the important work that they carry out within our society. This has been an extremely difficult time for community groups in Mayo that have stepped up to the plate in providing essential services and activities. I am urging Mayo community groups to apply for funding from the Community Activities Fund."
