HSE statement on Navan Hospital

The HSE confirms no decision has been taken to close Our Lady's Hospital in Navan (OLHN). In September 2009 the HSE outlined to staff, elected representatives, staff union representatives and the public the future plans for all three hospitals in Louth/Meath as part of the North East Transformation Programme. At that time the HSE highlighted the need for significant changes in the way our current hospital and community health services are structured and delivered. It confirmed that services would be reconfigured from the situation where acute services were provided in five separate sites in the region to two Acute Hospitals Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda (and ultimately into a single Regional Hospital). (A copy of the statement issued is attached).The HSE confirmed the following planned changes for Louth Meath: · Centralising emergency services, acute general medicine and critical care services in Drogheda, commencing with Dundalk services (completed July 2010)and then subsequently Navan · Developing a more effective partnership with ‘community based services’ for improved admissions avoidance and improved discharge planning to ensure patients can return home as soon as possible · Expanding day and outpatient procedures and services in Dundalk and Navan hospitals · Integrating the general surgery service at OLH, Navan into the joint Drogheda / Dundalk Department of Surgery The HSE also outlined the services that would continue to be provided from both Louth County Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital Navan as per the North East Transformation Programme namely; - Day medical services, Day surgical Services ,Elective Endoscopy ; Orthopaedics;12 hour ED ( then 12hr MIU) ;Step Down Unit ;Rehab Unit ;Outpatient Services ;Laboratory & radiology ;Stroke Rehab ;ENT; CT Scanning ;Care of Elderly Assessment.(OLHN does not treat children).It also set out a phased approach to implementing these service changes. Concerns raised earlier this year by clinical experts regarding surgical risks and patient safety in Our Lady’s Hospital Navan left the HSE with no option but to immediately cease certain surgical practices including keyhole (laparascopic) and emergency surgery as well as ceasing the transfer of ambulance borne trauma patients to OLHN for stabilisation.The risks identified meant that the phased approach to some of the planned service changes in OLHN had to be implemented as a matter of urgency. To disregard such clinical concerns and expert clinical advice would amount to a serious breach of responsibility. The changes to surgical services were made solely in the interest of providing the highest quality of service to patients, following expert clinical advice and on foot of the recommendations of a number of reviews of the Department of Surgery in Our Lady’s Hospital. The clinical advice was received from consultants who are all actively engaged in clinical and academic practice and reflect a diverse experience of medical and surgical practice in Ireland. It is important to note that the decision to cease emergency surgery was due to take place in any event based on previous reports and the HIQA Report of the investigation into quality and safety of services and supporting arrangements provided by the Health Service Executive at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis. Since 2006 no major surgery has been undertaken in OLHN. The North East Transformation Programme sets out the future role for Our Lady’s Hospital Navan. However; this programme cannot and does not exist in isolation. There are a number of other impacting factors, which are not exclusive to OLHN, such as the recruitment of NCHDs (junior doctor). Recruitment of NCHDs is particularly challenging and while steps are being taken to recruit suitably qualified and trained staff ensuring that there is an appropriate ratio of staff to deliver a safe service, this is kept under constant review. Currently the Emergency Department in Our Lady's Hospital Navan continues to function on a twenty four hour basis. Individuals presenting to the Emergency Department in Our Lady’s Hospital requiring acute/emergency surgery are transferred to another hospital in the Dublin North East region while patients requiring acute medical treatment for conditions such as stroke, cardiac arrest, diabetes continue to be admitted to OLHN. Minor elective surgery (i.e. requiring local anaesthetic only) and endoscopy remains in OLHN. Orthopaedic Services including elective orthopaedic surgery also continue as normal. The HSE Dublin North East is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients and service users in the region. Ann Martin Press Officer HSE Dublin North East Tel:046 9280524 / 087 0610848 Email: AnnT.Martin@hse.ie The HSE confirms no decision has been taken to close Our Lady's Hospital in Navan (OLHN). In September 2009 the HSE outlined to staff, elected representatives, staff union representatives and the public the future plans for all three hospitals in Louth/Meath as part of the North East Transformation Programme. At that time the HSE highlighted the need for significant changes in the way our current hospital and community health services are structured and delivered. It confirmed that services would be reconfigured from the situation where acute services were provided in five separate sites in the region to two Acute Hospitals Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda (and ultimately into a single Regional Hospital). (A copy of the statement issued is attached).The HSE confirmed the following planned changes for Louth Meath: · Centralising emergency services, acute general medicine and critical care services in Drogheda, commencing with Dundalk services (completed July 2010)and then subsequently Navan · Developing a more effective partnership with ‘community based services’ for improved admissions avoidance and improved discharge planning to ensure patients can return home as soon as possible · Expanding day and outpatient procedures and services in Dundalk and Navan hospitals · Integrating the general surgery service at OLH, Navan into the joint Drogheda / Dundalk Department of Surgery The HSE also outlined the services that would continue to be provided from both Louth County Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital Navan as per the North East Transformation Programme namely; - Day medical services, Day surgical Services ,Elective Endoscopy ; Orthopaedics;12 hour ED ( then 12hr MIU) ;Step Down Unit ;Rehab Unit ;Outpatient Services ;Laboratory & radiology ;Stroke Rehab ;ENT; CT Scanning ;Care of Elderly Assessment.(OLHN does not treat children).It also set out a phased approach to implementing these service changes. Concerns raised earlier this year by clinical experts regarding surgical risks and patient safety in Our Lady’s Hospital Navan left the HSE with no option but to immediately cease certain surgical practices including keyhole (laparascopic) and emergency surgery as well as ceasing the transfer of ambulance borne trauma patients to OLHN for stabilisation.The risks identified meant that the phased approach to some of the planned service changes in OLHN had to be implemented as a matter of urgency. To disregard such clinical concerns and expert clinical advice would amount to a serious breach of responsibility. The changes to surgical services were made solely in the interest of providing the highest quality of service to patients, following expert clinical advice and on foot of the recommendations of a number of reviews of the Department of Surgery in Our Lady’s Hospital. The clinical advice was received from consultants who are all actively engaged in clinical and academic practice and reflect a diverse experience of medical and surgical practice in Ireland. It is important to note that the decision to cease emergency surgery was due to take place in any event based on previous reports and the HIQA Report of the investigation into quality and safety of services and supporting arrangements provided by the Health Service Executive at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Ennis. Since 2006 no major surgery has been undertaken in OLHN. The North East Transformation Programme sets out the future role for Our Lady’s Hospital Navan. However; this programme cannot and does not exist in isolation. There are a number of other impacting factors, which are not exclusive to OLHN, such as the recruitment of NCHDs (junior doctor). Recruitment of NCHDs is particularly challenging and while steps are being taken to recruit suitably qualified and trained staff ensuring that there is an appropriate ratio of staff to deliver a safe service, this is kept under constant review. Currently the Emergency Department in Our Lady's Hospital Navan continues to function on a twenty four hour basis. Individuals presenting to the Emergency Department in Our Lady’s Hospital requiring acute/emergency surgery are transferred to another hospital in the Dublin North East region while patients requiring acute medical treatment for conditions such as stroke, cardiac arrest, diabetes continue to be admitted to OLHN. Minor elective surgery (i.e. requiring local anaesthetic only) and endoscopy remains in OLHN. Orthopaedic Services including elective orthopaedic surgery also continue as normal. The HSE Dublin North East is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients and service users in the region.