YOUGHAL HOSPITAL FACING BED CLOSURES – Writes Christy Parker

YOUGHAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL faces bed closures in the coming months due to a reduction in its 2012 budget and an embargo on staff recruitment. Three staff members who are due to retire next month will not be replaced, either permanently or through agency recruitment. This will bring to six the number of non-replaced staff retirements in the past twelve months, inevitability leading to a loss of beds as the roster becomes unsustainable.

The cut backs fall under the terms of the National Service Plan published yesterday, which entails a €750m reduction in funding for services nationally

As yet the number of likely bed closures is uncertain and the hospital was unable to comment. However Cllr Barbara Murray, who represents Cork County Council on the Primary and Community Care Committee of HSE South, says “there is talk of eight beds being closed, but nothing is set in stone as yet.” As bad as prospects now, further retirements or staff losses may well arise in the coming years or even months, placing yet further pressure on the care centre to maintain bed spaces.

The hospital currently employs 58 full and part-time staff working on ‘whole-time equivalent’ rotas. They manage 38 beds, comprising 30 continuing care, four respite, two convalescent and two hospice units. “There is a constant demand for beds and a waiting list for admittance,” according to. “Any bed closures or reduction in service will have a serious impact on the local community, for whom the hospital provides a crucial service.”

It is understood that a meeting between the HSE and hospital representatives failed to alter the HSE stance, while further meetings are likely. Cllr Murray says she also hopes to meet with Mr. Ger Reiney, the HSE’s Local Area Manager to discuss the situation in the coming weeks. Cllr Murray adds that up to three times as many beds may close in Midleton.

A spokesman for HSE South says it expects “an increase in the numbers of staff retiring due to a change in pension entitlements after February 2012. We are reviewing the impact on each community hospital of such retirements or departures. The HSE will be unable to continue to replace these staff using agency staff and has prepared a number of contingency plans designed to maintain safe staffing levels and to minimise the impact on patient services.” The spokesman concludes, “Regional Service Plan will follow and we should be able to issue figures and procedures by the end of the January

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