O’Brien expresses concerns about the use of hospital wards

Independent councilor Sean O’Brien has raised concerns about both the pediatric and day wards at Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, saying half of these wards are now being used for other patients.

“The pediatric unit would be used specifically for children requiring surgery or other medical interventions and played a vital role in ensuring children were treated as quickly as possible. Now half of this 17-bed ward is used for regular patients and this means that children requiring medical attention cannot be admitted for operations such as tonsilitis,” Cllr O’Brien outlined.

“The day unit, which is for people requiring medical treatment without an overnight stay, is also being used for regular patients and this again means that those requiring day treatment will also be moved lower on the list,” Cllr O’Brien concluded.