HEALTH SERVICE Executive (HSE) plans to reform hospital services across the southeast have been thrown into confusion with the resignation of the doctor leading the “reconfiguration” process.
Clinical director at Wexford General Hospital Dr Colm Quigley has stepped down from the role as clinical head of the reconfiguration project for acute hospitals in the region.
He remains in his post as clinical director of the hospital.
A meeting due to be held yesterday afternoon to discuss the reconfiguration process was called off at the last minute.
Campaigners in south Tipperary and Wexford have been expressing fears for months that the HSE is set to cut services in their general hospitals such as maternity wards and AE, and transfer them to Waterford Regional Hospital and, to a lesser extent, St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny.
Tens of thousands of people took part in protest marches held during the summer in Clonmel and Wexford to outline their opposition to any cutbacks in general hospital services.
Labour Party TD for Wexford Brendan Howlin said Dr Quigley had taken “a courageous stand” in defence of Wexford General Hospital.
The HSE said in a statement that it was “with regret” it accepted the resignation of Dr Quigley as clinical lead of the reconfiguration steering group.
Richard Dooley, HSE hospital network manager with the South Eastern Hospitals Group, said Dr Quigley’s dedication to patient care and his vast commitments made it understandable that he would want to step down and instead concentrate on his role as clinical director of Wexford General.
The HSE said no decisions had yet been made on any reconfiguration proposal, and that each of the four acute hospitals in the region – at Waterford, Kilkenny, Clonmel and Wexford – would continue to have a “meaningful role”.