HSE boss paying visit to Portiuncula Hospital today

Paul Reid, the chief executive of the HSE, will be in Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe today (Tuesday) as part of a two-day visit to health facilities across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

During his visit to the hospital, Mr Reid is to meet with staff "across a range of services such as the heart failure programme and Quality and Safety," according to a statement from the Saolta healthcare group which oversees services in the three counties.

The visit is "a chance for the CEO to recommence meeting with staff across the country, an activity that was curtailed by the pandemic," the Saolta statement added.

In addition to Portiuncula, Mr Reid will today visit the Loughrea and Tuam primary care centres, and will take part in an online meeting with local political representatives.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) he will visit Roscommon Hospital as part of an itinerary which also includes Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar Primary Care Centre and Regari Recovery College.

Speaking about this trip, Mr Reid said: "I'm delighted to be here to meet staff in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, to hear about the great work that is happening and being implemented by Saolta Hospital Group and Community Healthcare West.

"Meeting staff and hearing the innovative ways they are working to benefit the lives of patients is a great way for me to get first-hand feedback and an opportunity to thank them for all their hard work over the last few years.

"Despite the interruption the pandemic caused, staff have progressed development of services that will benefit all.

"I look forward to visiting many more colleagues and patients in other parts of the country throughout the summer," he concluded.