West forum unhappy with role in HSE

MEMBERS OF the HSE West Regional Forum may as well be sending off motions to Santa Claus as sending them to HSE chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm for some action to be taken.

That was the view expressed at the forum's November meeting in Galway city last week by Clare councillor Brian Meaney (Green) as he hinted at growing dis-satisfaction among the forum's 40 councillors with the role it is performing within the HSE.

Through the establishment of the HSE, four regional fora were created and the HSE West area covers nine counties stretching from Donegal to Limerick.

The chairman of the forum, Galway councillor Tomas Mannion (FF), said: "One of the difficulties is that the forum is covering too big an area."

At each forum, members are entitled to place written questions and table motions and last Tuesday, 43 questions were placed by 15 of the 40 members with the replies provided by the executive running to 26 pages.

However, the length of the answers did not prevent criticism from a number of councillors.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Mannion said: "Simple questions are receiving long and vague answers and that frustrates members.We have no decision-making powers. No muscle. I was delighted when the old health board system was being abolished. Now, I believe though I had it wrong and instead that system should have been modified and local decision-making should have been retained."

Sligo-based Cllr Declan Bree (Ind Soc) served as chairman for part of last year and he said: "During my time as chairman, we didn't get a single response from HSE head office to any motion or recommendation we passed. We might as well have been sending them to the Bermuda Triangle. Not even an acknowledgement - and that hasn't changed since," he said.

"Councillors feel very frustrated and there is a growing recognition that the HSE as it is currently structured is a failure."

However, Cllr Bree believes there are adequate replies to 85 per cent of questions. "The forum does provide an important platform for members to highlight inadequacies in the health service," he said.

Cllr Colm Keaveney (Lab) claimed, however, that the quality of information being provided at the forum "is unacceptable. It is a very frustrating process and I'm not sure it is a good use of time. I get a sense that the HSE regards its dealings with councillors at the forum as a nuisance."

Cllr Keaveney described relations between councillors and the executive "as very tetchy and awkward".

However, Cllr Meaney said: "I wouldn't write off the forum just yet. The role of the forum is one of oversight and inquiry. The response the HSE makes to motions is very poor, but our questions are being answered adequately. I believe that councillors need to engage with the forum a lot more pro-actively."