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400 attend Carn Hospital meeting
30.01.12
INISHOWEN TD Charlie
McConalogue has said staff numbers and beds at
Carndonagh Community Hospital must be protected in
the interests of patients and the local community.
His comments come following a large public meeting
at the weekend attended by over 400 people.
"The worth and value to families of Carndonagh
Community Hospital must not be underestimated. There
were 319 admissions to the hospital in 2011, higher
than any of the preceding four years. This is in
spite of staff cuts, funding cuts and beds closing.
This demonstrates that the demand is there for
in-patient services along with the many outpatient
services. It also demonstrates that HSE staff in
Donegal and particularly Carndonagh Hospital staff
are working to the best of their ability in the best
interest of the patients and clients they serve," he
said.
"Funding for Carndonagh Hospital has fallen steadily
from €4,027,625 in 2009 to €3,259,667 in 2011 with
further cuts expected. Yet admissions during the
same period increased from 279 in 2009 to 295 in
2010 and 319 in 2011. |
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Carndonagh Community Hospital |
Deputy McConalogue said
the most recent HIQA report on Carndonagh Community
Hospital praised the care provided by staff and
highlighted the satisfaction of patients and their
families. "Most of the recommendations made were
around policies and structural improvements.
“The fact that the HSE estimates an additional €3.7
million would be required to see the hospital comply
with all recommendations made by HIQA is a matter of
concern, considering how we have seen the Government
use HIQA reports in an attempt to justify to cuts to
services or bed closures.
"A common sense approach must be taken here. The
Government needs to ensure that the resources are
made available as required to ensure that the
services to local patients continue and are of a
high standard.
“The public meeting on Sunday night sent out a
strong message about just how important it this
hospital to the local community. I am calling on all
public representatives in this region to work
together to secure the future of Carndonagh
Community Hospital," added Deputy McConalogue. |
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