Staff protest at closure of 19 Waterford beds

FURIOUS staff at the St Patrick’s Hospital for elderly people have accused the HSE of using health and safety claims to close 19 beds at the facility.

Speaking during a UNITE union protest outside Cork County Hall before yesterday’s HSE South regional health forum, a spokesperson for staff at the Waterford facility claimed health service management were attempting to find a “back-door way to save e200,000” for the service.

The HSE rejects the claims, stating the 19-bed St Bridget’s ward at the hospital will be closed over the coming months as it is “unsuitable for long-term continued use for older people”.