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HSE to be quizzed on nursing units
23.01.12
BED closures at
Carndonagh Community Hospital will be top of the
agenda when two local Sinn Féin representatives meet
HSE bosses tomorrow.
Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn and Cllr Jack Murray
will raise their concerns - including plans for
Buncrana Nursing Unit - in a meeting with HSE West
regional director of operations, John Hennessy, in
Dublin.
The meeting comes ahead of a public meeting
scheduled organised by the Carndonagh Community
Hospital Action Group to take place in the Colgan
Hall, Carndonagh on Friday, January 27, at 8pm.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: "Between Carndonagh
Community Hospital and Ard Aoidhinn, the Alzheimer's
Unit, a total of eight beds have been unused over
the last while staff have not been replaced due to
the Government's employment freeze. And, the budget
for the hospital has been reduced by almost 20%.
"This hospital plays a crucial role in the lives of
the people of North Inishowen in particular and I
won't stand by and watch it being further diminished
without a fight. |
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Carndonagh Community Hospital |
The local TD said he
had submitted a range of questions to Health
Minister James Reilly last year on the financing of
the hospital. The deputy said it was "clear that
there has been a slippery slope of cuts and under
investment".
"Myself and Cllr Murray will now challenge Mr
Hennessy and Mr Hayes on their plans for the
hospital and how they propose to ensure that the
hospital meets HIQA standards.
"We will also raise Buncrana Nursing Unit and their
plans there. Both Buncrana Nursing Unit and
Carndonagh Community Hospital were fought for and
part-funded by local communities and if the
Government or anyone thinks that we will stand by
and watch them being squeezed further, then they are
in for a shock." |
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