'Heart patient could have been treated in Ennis'

A HSE review has found that Ennis General Hospital could have admitted a man who died recently while en route by ambulance to Limerick Regional Hospital.

Mr Dan McDonnell died in the ealry hours of April 19 after having a heart attack in an ambulance when minutes away from the Limerick Hospital. The ambulance had bypassed Ennis General, which closed its 24-hour A&E service on April 6.

However, the HSE has stated that a protocol issued to GPs in the area on April 6 stated that the vast majority of acute medical conditions can be admitted to Ennis hospital at any hour of the day, with the proviso that after 8pm, the referral must come from the patient's GP.

This protocol included patients with breathlessness or chest pain, which would have covered Mr McDonnell's symptoms.

The HSE said the decision made in this particular case was made in good faith by the patient's GP. However, it indicated that there was either a lack of awareness or disregard among GPs on the recent changes regarding emergency services at Ennis.

Local GP Dr Michael Harty had claimed that the new protocols in operation gave no option to the ambulance crew but to transfer Mr McDonnell directly to Limerick.

[Posted: Thu 30/04/2009]