Health facility opening delay is ‘victimisation’ of older people

THE failure to open a new €16.4 million community hospital in Dingle amounts to further victimisation of older people by the cash-strapped Government, it was claimed yesterday.

The opening of the 68-bed hospital, which was due to take place today, had to be postponed because the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is not satisfied with facilities there.

Preparations were in train for the first-phase transfer of 43 patients and staff from St Elizabeth’s Hospital in Dingle, but the move was halted until the new hospital is registered by HIQA.