Closure of in-patient beds raises concerns

THE last remaining public in-patient beds on the northside of Cork city will close within a year under plans to relocate orthopaedic services to the city centre.

In a move seen by some as the death knell for hospital services north of the Lee, the Health Service Executive (HSE) last night informed staff at St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital that it intends to move in-patient and day surgery, as well as rehabilitation services, to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH). Outpatient services will also transfer to the city centre hospital.

This will end the 55-year-old Gurranabraher hospital’s acute surgical role, leaving onsite mental health, intellectual disability and ambulance services as well as outreach maternity and health centre services. A 50-bed community nursing unit is also due to open on the 30-acre site this year.