HSE reform chief urged to allay patients’ fears

THE head of the reconfiguration of the HSE South’s hospital services has been urged to meet with rural patient representatives to allay fears over the controversial changes.

A formal letter sent to the head of the reform process, Prof John Higgins, after a public meeting organised by the Mallow Hospital Action Committee in north Cork, has called for firm statements to replace the “vague promises” made over the future of rural services in mid-Munster.

According to the letter – signed by local GPs, hospital doctors and Labour TD Sean Sherlock – existing services at Mallow General are vital to members of the public living in Charleville, Mallow, Kanturk, Newmarket and other areas of north Cork whose health may now be in jeopardy.

The HSE has repeatedly insisted that the planned Teamwork and Howarth Consulting report changes – which include 24-hour emergency department and surgical services throughout Cork being restricted to Cork University Hospital (CUH) – are in the best interests of patients in the region.

Those behind the changes have further said they will help to develop 40 new primary and community service staff positions, 1,202 home care packages, 1,013 non-acute beds, 28 mental health beds, and extra diagnostics and assessments for 2,996 patients in the region.

However, despite the claims the Mallow Hospital Action Committee has said concerns are growing over the impact of changes on patient care, with local Labour TD Sean Sherlock calling for a formal meeting between Prof Higgins and residents to calm fears in the region.

“Several people have raised the point that CUH is already working past capacity and that no further money is to be provided to accommodate the extra workload if Mallow is downgraded,” he said.

“The Teamwork report amounts to little more than cost cutting at the expense of the lives and health of the people of Co Cork,” he said.

Staff at other hospitals, including Mercy University Hospital in the city, have already stated their opposition to the planned reconfiguration of services, despite initial HSE claims that those medics were in favour of the move.