Hospital ‘mulled removing sinks to fit beds’

A DUBLIN hospital considered removing fixtures and fittings from wards in order to make more space for beds, according to the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO).

The attempt to create extra bed space was confined to public wards because private health insurers such as VHI do not permit more than five beds per private ward in a public hospital.

The claim was made by the INO’s deputy general secretary Dave Hughes. The organisation has called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to revoke any policies which involve the erection of extra beds above the stated ward/unit complement. It is understood sinks were among the items under consideration for removal from the wards.