Locals urged to fight for future of hospital

A TOWN has been urged to turn out in force tonight as part of a new campaign to secure a vital extension to its community hospital.

The Friends of Bandon Community Hospital in Co Cork hope to ramp up pressure on the Government to release funding for the stalled project.

The meeting will take place in the Munster Arms Hotel at 8.30pm.

“We want people to turn up to vent their anger,” Friends chairman Liam Crowley said. “We also want to get a mandate from the people on how best to bring this forward.

“We have to get money from Department of Health to address the chronic shortage of beds to care for the elderly in the Bandon area.

“We are aware that there are numerous hospitals in a similar situation around the country but even the HSE has admitted that there is a chronic shortage of beds for this type of care in this area,” Mr Crowley said.

The single-storey Bandon Community Hospital dates back to 1929 and has had extensive renovations over the years. It provides long-term, respite and palliative care for 23 older people of mixed dependency.

The HSE appointed a design team in 2006 to draw up plans for an extension to almost double its capacity to 40 beds. The project secured planning permission in 2008 but capital funding was withdrawn as the economic downturn began to bite. The extension project has been stalled ever since.

Senior HSE officials met with Friends representatives on Thursday to explain the current status of the project.

Mr Crowley blamed red tape and bureaucracy for the delays and said there are now concerns that planning could lapse if funding is not secured within two years.

Meanwhile, the future of an under-threat community hospital in Cobh has been secured.

The Friends of Cobh Community Hospital raised concerns about the future of the hospital almost 12 months ago following the introduction of new Government funding arrangements for nursing homes. They said the so-called Fair Deal scheme would result in the hospital receiving up to 25% less funding.

But after months of meetings and lobbying, the Friends confirmed that the hospital’s Board of Management “received the necessary support to be able to operate viably”.

Donations received over the last year will go to meeting the increasing standards of care, and on much needed equipment, projects and activities for the residents.