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Protests planned over hospital closure

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been urged to give assurances to elderly patients and their relatives on the Southside that they will be transferred to another hospital when existing respite services at Baggot Street Hospital end.
The Southside facility currently has 30 respite care beds for sick and elderly patients with dependence problems over the age of 65.
The HSE says these beds will now be closed and subsequently transferred to Clonskeagh Hospital but they have not yet confirmed a date for the move.
The announcement follows the recent news that the HSE will also close 12 respite beds for elderly patients at Cherry Orchard Hospital from the end of May.
Cllr Paddy McCartan (FG) claimed that no assurances had been given to the families of patients at Baggot Street Hospital about when the move would take place.
“There is nothing definite in the pipeline and people are just being told that there is some alternative,” he said.
“People who would have availed of those beds from the Donnybrook, Ballsbridge, Irishtown and Ringsend areas relied on those services to provide breathing space for families and relatives, so it is a very unsatisfactory situation.
“We have contacted the HSE and received no satisfactory answers from them about when the move will take place,” he added. “I certainly don’t accept any assurances that an alternative is being provided.”

Rory Hearne, People Before Profit Alliance representative for Dublin South East, said he has received a number of complaints from local residents about the closure of the beds.
Respite
“I think it is disgraceful if they are going to transfer respite beds out of the area,” he said. “Old people in particular need care in their area where they don’t have to travel too far.
“At a time when hospitals have already been lost in the area like the Meath and the Adelaide and St Luke's, it seems crazy that another service is being closed.”
He called on the HSE to clarify the future of Baggot Street hospital.
“It seems that they are under funding the hospital and its long-term future is in serious doubt,” he added.
A spokeswoman for the HSE confirmed that the respite beds are being moved from Baggot Street Hospital to Clonskeagh Hospital Campus where she said there was sufficient space to absorb the beds and staff.
“Meetings have taken place with staff and patients (and families) regarding this move and it is hoped that a plan will be finalised shortly,” she said. “All other services will remain at Baggot Street, including day care services.”
Meanwhile, it was claimed last week that Tallaght Hospital would close 30 beds for a four-week period due to nursing staff shortages later this month.
Former Sinn Fein TD, Sean Crowe, claimed an announcement had been made that 31 beds in Tallaght Hospital, mainly in the urology and the orthopedic departments, would be closed.
“The cuts will mean even longer waiting times for seriously ill patients awaiting beds for prostrate cancer treatment, the removal of painful kidney stones and for those awaiting procedures involving spine, knee and hips that need an overnight element to their care,” he said.
"These latest cost cutting measures at the debt ridden hospital will add to the drastic downward spiral of care and will ultimately effect the quality of life of hundreds of patients awaiting surgery and overnight treatment and care.”
In a statement, the hospital didn't confirm the bed closures but said it may have to cancel planned surgery in the coming weeks due to a shortage of nurses.
The statement said: "The hospital is facing a temporary shortage of nursing staff for a four week period from late April and is currently trying to fill those positions temporarily.
“If this is not possible it may be necessary to reduce elective activity for four weeks to ensure that the high quality of care is maintained on all wards.
“We are still working hard to obtain the necessary temporary replacements and service will only be reduced as a last resort.”
In a separate development, the Save St Luke's Hospital Campaign expressed considerable disappointment last week after they were informed by Health Minister, Mary Harney, that she was not available to meet a delegation from the campaign.
The group requested the meeting to express the views of patients and relatives of patients who are concerned with the decision to close St Luke's Cancer Hospital in Rathgar.

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