Fine Gael’s Dr. Liam Twomey welcomes the Government’s decision to close St. Senan’s Hospital and to move patients to a more modern care facility.
However Dr. Twomey expressed concern about the government’s sincerity in announcing this move as this proposal has been part of the Vision for Change policy document for a number of years.
He called on the government to show its commitment to real change for mental health patients. “The government should start construction immediately on a new unit at St. John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy for long stay psychiatric patients and it should also begin construction on a new acute psychiatric unit at Wexford General Hospital. This is what I expect the government to do if it is serious about its announcement yesterday. Mental Health Services across all levels, that includes primary care level, acute hospital care level and long stay care level, all need continuous investment to provide the necessary care for mental health patients in County Wexford. I now call on the Government to make a real commitment to Mental Health Services in a way that the people of county Wexford can believe in.”
Dr. Liam Twomey, Fine Gael Wexford
Click on logo to learn more about me on Fine Gael's website
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
PRESS RELEASE - GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHOW REAL COMMITMENT TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES - TWOMEY
Fine Gael’s Dr. Liam Twomey welcomes the Government’s decision to close St. Senan’s Hospital and to move patients to a more modern care facility.
However Dr. Twomey expressed concern about the government’s sincerity in announcing this move as this proposal has been part of the Vision for Change policy document for a number of years.
He called on the government to show its commitment to real change for mental health patients. “The government should start construction immediately on a new unit at St. John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy for long stay psychiatric patients and it should also begin construction on a new acute psychiatric unit at Wexford General Hospital. This is what I expect the government to do if it is serious about its announcement yesterday. Mental Health Services across all levels, that includes primary care level, acute hospital care level and long stay care level, all need continuous investment to provide the necessary care for mental health patients in County Wexford. I now call on the Government to make a real commitment to Mental Health Services in a way that the people of county Wexford can believe in.”
However Dr. Twomey expressed concern about the government’s sincerity in announcing this move as this proposal has been part of the Vision for Change policy document for a number of years.
He called on the government to show its commitment to real change for mental health patients. “The government should start construction immediately on a new unit at St. John’s Hospital, Enniscorthy for long stay psychiatric patients and it should also begin construction on a new acute psychiatric unit at Wexford General Hospital. This is what I expect the government to do if it is serious about its announcement yesterday. Mental Health Services across all levels, that includes primary care level, acute hospital care level and long stay care level, all need continuous investment to provide the necessary care for mental health patients in County Wexford. I now call on the Government to make a real commitment to Mental Health Services in a way that the people of county Wexford can believe in.”
Saturday, February 27, 2010
PRESS RELEASE - 24 hour A & E SERVICES SHOULD BE KEPT IN WEXFORD - TWOMEY
Fine Gael’s Dr. Liam Twomey has vowed to keep the pressure on the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney and the HSE regarding Wexford’s General Hospital A & E. “As an Oireachtas member, I have been told that no decision has yet been made regarding the closure of the A & E and I hope that this is the case. I firmly believe that the A & E in Wexford should remain a 24 hour facility and should not be reduced to operating between 8am and midnight.”
Dr. Twomey, referring to Ennis Hospital losing its acute services last year between 8pm and 8am, said that comparisons cannot be made between Ennis and Wexford. “Ennis is a far smaller hospital with only about 70 beds. Wexford has over 200 beds and has major specialities.”
Dr. Twomey said that the HSE are putting a spin on the low numbers of patients being seen in Wexford’s A & E between midnight and 8am in the morning. “But the HSE is ignoring the fact that the patients that come to A & E during those hours are the sickest patients, who would then have to travel a minimum of 1 hour to Waterford or perhaps even a couple of hours to a Dublin hospital. Even though we have a good ambulance service with many of the ambulance drivers being trained up to paramedic level, there is just not enough capacity in the ambulance service to be able to move patients these distances while still maintaining an ambulance service for the county.”
Dr. Twomey added that we are spending 16 billion annually on our health system, so the money is being spent but it is a question of using this money in the best way so that patients get the best care. “Savings can be made in other ways. Closing the A & E at night will only result in putting the sickest patients at risk. Wexford lost acute orthopaedic surgery and breast cancer surgery to Waterford but Wexford GPs will not support any reduction in acute services. I, together with the other public representatives, will continue to fight to ensure that there will be no reduction in our acute services in Wexford General Hospital.”
Dr. Twomey, referring to Ennis Hospital losing its acute services last year between 8pm and 8am, said that comparisons cannot be made between Ennis and Wexford. “Ennis is a far smaller hospital with only about 70 beds. Wexford has over 200 beds and has major specialities.”
Dr. Twomey said that the HSE are putting a spin on the low numbers of patients being seen in Wexford’s A & E between midnight and 8am in the morning. “But the HSE is ignoring the fact that the patients that come to A & E during those hours are the sickest patients, who would then have to travel a minimum of 1 hour to Waterford or perhaps even a couple of hours to a Dublin hospital. Even though we have a good ambulance service with many of the ambulance drivers being trained up to paramedic level, there is just not enough capacity in the ambulance service to be able to move patients these distances while still maintaining an ambulance service for the county.”
Dr. Twomey added that we are spending 16 billion annually on our health system, so the money is being spent but it is a question of using this money in the best way so that patients get the best care. “Savings can be made in other ways. Closing the A & E at night will only result in putting the sickest patients at risk. Wexford lost acute orthopaedic surgery and breast cancer surgery to Waterford but Wexford GPs will not support any reduction in acute services. I, together with the other public representatives, will continue to fight to ensure that there will be no reduction in our acute services in Wexford General Hospital.”
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
PRESS RELEASE "TOWH HALL"STYLE MEETING ON BANKING CRISIS THIS THURSDAY
“This Thursday night 25th February in the Talbot Hotel at 7.30pm is your opportunity to have your say on the Banking crisis and other economic issues and their affect on businesses and people in County Wexford,” states Dr. Twomey.
Dr. Liam Twomey asks you to come along and share your views on what we must do for County Wexford.
“I need your support to prove that this issue and other economic issues matter”, stresses Dr. Twomey.
Dr. Twomey states
“I have five objectives for this meeting:
• The opportunity to discuss the banking crisis with you and how it is affecting Wexford’s economy
• I want to put together a report to send to the banking enquiry to outline Co. Wexford’s concerns
• I will raise issues in Leinster House that will highlight Wexford’s economic concerns
• If there are specific issues, I will raise those problems with the relevant Government department
• I will discuss solutions put forward on the night with Fine Gael’s economic spokesperson Richard Bruton.”
“I know your views matter and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday,” states Dr. Twomey
Dr. Liam Twomey asks you to come along and share your views on what we must do for County Wexford.
“I need your support to prove that this issue and other economic issues matter”, stresses Dr. Twomey.
Dr. Twomey states
“I have five objectives for this meeting:
• The opportunity to discuss the banking crisis with you and how it is affecting Wexford’s economy
• I want to put together a report to send to the banking enquiry to outline Co. Wexford’s concerns
• I will raise issues in Leinster House that will highlight Wexford’s economic concerns
• If there are specific issues, I will raise those problems with the relevant Government department
• I will discuss solutions put forward on the night with Fine Gael’s economic spokesperson Richard Bruton.”
“I know your views matter and I look forward to seeing you on Thursday,” states Dr. Twomey
Friday, February 19, 2010
PRESS RELEASE - TWOMEY CONCERNED ABOUT 3% LEVY ON LOCAL RADIO STATIONS
In the Seanad on Tuesday, Fine Gael’s Dr. Liam Twomey called on the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan to discuss the potential negative effects the 3% levy for the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) could have on jobs and the future viability of local radio stations.
Dr. Twomey said “Because of the recent legislation which has been passed, three radio stations across Ireland could end up being closed. The levy has already cost people their jobs and works against small local radio stations. The cost of running the BAI is equivalent to the turnover of three local radio stations.” He added that local radio stations are of great benefit to local communities. “We do not want to see two or three go out of business because of a levy which discriminates against smaller stations and which does not appear to have been fully thought through by the Minister.”
Given the fact that advertising revenue was down by 20-25% last year with another expected 5% decrease this year, the introduction of this levy is coming at a bad time for radio stations. This levy will fund the BAI with €7.4 million per annum.
“Our local radio station in county Wexford, South East Radio, provides a vital service and it is the same with local radio stations across the country. We should be doing our best to support these local businesses, during this difficult time, not putting more financial pressure on them”, said Dr. Twomey. The latest results from the JNLR survey shows that South East Radio has 50,000 adult listeners per day. It also has a weekly reach of 61% which equates to 67,000 weekly listeners over the age of 15. “These figures show how important South East Radio Station is to the Wexford community.”
Dr. Twomey has promised to continue to press this issue regarding the levy with Minister Ryan.
Dr. Twomey said “Because of the recent legislation which has been passed, three radio stations across Ireland could end up being closed. The levy has already cost people their jobs and works against small local radio stations. The cost of running the BAI is equivalent to the turnover of three local radio stations.” He added that local radio stations are of great benefit to local communities. “We do not want to see two or three go out of business because of a levy which discriminates against smaller stations and which does not appear to have been fully thought through by the Minister.”
Given the fact that advertising revenue was down by 20-25% last year with another expected 5% decrease this year, the introduction of this levy is coming at a bad time for radio stations. This levy will fund the BAI with €7.4 million per annum.
“Our local radio station in county Wexford, South East Radio, provides a vital service and it is the same with local radio stations across the country. We should be doing our best to support these local businesses, during this difficult time, not putting more financial pressure on them”, said Dr. Twomey. The latest results from the JNLR survey shows that South East Radio has 50,000 adult listeners per day. It also has a weekly reach of 61% which equates to 67,000 weekly listeners over the age of 15. “These figures show how important South East Radio Station is to the Wexford community.”
Dr. Twomey has promised to continue to press this issue regarding the levy with Minister Ryan.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)