Fine Gael Cork South Central TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer, has welcomed a 17% reduction nationally in the numbers of patients on trolleys in the first four months of 2012 compared with the same period last year. Deputy Buttimer attributed this result to the establishment of the special Delivery Unit as well as the dedication and hard work of hospital staff and management.
 
“That there has been a 17% reduction nationally in the number of patients on hospital trolleys is a welcome development. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has confirmed that the drop has been recorded across the first four months in 2012 when compared with the same period in 2011. Looking back to 2010, a 3% reduction has been recorded, signalling a significant improvement in trolley figures for last year.
 
“When the Minister for Health came to office he established the Special Delivery Unit, one of the aims of which was to reduce the number of people on hospital trolleys.  The figures from the INMO show that the combined efforts of Minister Reilly’s initiative and the dedication of hospital staff have yielded results.
 
“All staff working at every level within the hospital system deserve credit for this improvement.  Their dedication and commitment helps to deliver an essential service which is deeply appreciated by all who use the hospital system.
 
“The work of the INMO in maintaining figures on the use of hospital trolleys provides an insight into the efficiency of hospitals and the use of available resources.  This data enables direct comparisons so that we can see what initiatives are working and which practices need to be reviewed.  In regularly updating these figures the INMO is not only providing a service to its members but also to wider society.
 
“While there has been a significant national decrease in the number of patients on hospital trolleys, there may be local examples where the same reductions have not been delivered.  In such instances it is incumbent on the INMO, the Department for Health and hospital management to work together to deliver the same favourable outcomes that have been achieved nationally.”
 
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Posted under Health, National Work

 The Committee on Health and Children will continue its hearings on the Children First Bill today, 8th May when it meets with the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group.
 
The Committee is inviting submissions from interested groups and stakeholders on the Heads of the Children First Bill which was recently published by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald TD.
 
The purpose of the Bill is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory basis.
 
The Minister has sent the Heads of the Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consultation before the Bill is finalised.
 
Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer TD said: “For the Children First legislation to be effective, we must engage with and have an open dialogue with those groups who will be working with it on a daily basis.
 
Today we will have an opportunity to discuss the Heads of the Bill with the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is chairing an Interdepartmental Group of key Government departments together with the HSE and the Gardai in order to ensure the consistent implementation of Children First in all sectors.
 
Our meeting will also allow members of the Committee to be fully informed and enable us to provide meaningful input into the legislation, make observations and suggestions before the bill comes before the Dáil and Seanad.”
 
The meeting takes place today, Tuesday 8th May, 2.30pm in Committee Room 1, LH 2000. Committee proceedings can be followed live at: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
 
For more details on making a submission to the Committee, click on the following link: http://bit.ly/KudZIb
 
For further information please contact:
 
ENDS

Posted under Health, National Work, Youth

Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has paid tribute to the resilience and determination of the Vita Cortex workers following the resolution of the 20 week dispute last night.
 
“The resilience and determination of the Vita Cortex workers over the course of the sit-in has been an inspiration.  I am delighted that all parties have agreed to an acceptable resolution to the dispute.
 
“Each time I met with the Vita Cortex workers I was struck by their sincerity and their positive attitude. The mutual support shown by the members of the group enabled them to stick it out for a staggering 20 weeks.  They had received great support from across the local community and I know that this support was deeply appreciated.
 
“There have been many parties involved in bringing this dispute to an end.  Kieran Mulvey and his team in the Labour Relations Commission, SIPTU and IBEC have all played important roles in the process.  It is also important to recognise the engagement by the company in making an offer that was agreeable to all involved.
 
“In December, when this dispute began, the workers were genuine in their demands. They were seeking what had initially been offered, and indeed what had been given to former colleagues.  It was this genuine and dignified approach which resonated with the public, gathering support locally, nationally and internationally. I applaud them for the manner in which they have conducted themselves over the past four months and wish them well for the future.”
 
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Posted under Carrigaline, Cork, Cork City, Douglas, Employment, South Central, South East, South West