Surgeon calls for action over Croom cuts

A SURGEON yesterday called on the public to tackle politicians on the HSE decision to close 50% of the surgical facilities at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital.

One of the Limerick hospital’s two operating theatres will close for eight months, commencing on May 3, due to cutbacks.

Prof Eric Masterson, who has been based at the hospital for 14 years, said people in Limerick should follow the example of campaigners in Ennis and Nenagh, who fought against downgrading of hospitals in both towns.

“We live in a democracy and I would encourage people to have their democratic right to have their say.”

Prof Masterson said Croom had an expenditure of €12 million in 2010 but, this year, was being asked to come in on budget at €8m.

“That is a 33% reduction in our allocation from the HSE and that really has taken it to the point where we are almost non-viable.”

Staff at the hospital were told last Friday that one theatre and a 15-bed ward will close for eight months.

A spokesman for the HSE said the Mid-West Hospital Group has a requirement to operate within budget and manage resources with this in mind. He said a budget plan was based on a realistic assessment of achievable objectives with a view to maintaining all existing and essential emergency services, and minimising the overall impact on patient care.

Prof Masterson said the closure would represent a 50% reduction on their ability to provide joint replacement work on a weekly basis.

He said local HSE staff were put in an unenviable situation having to come up with very significant savings.

“We absolutely accept that Croom like every other public institution has to take its share of pain with reduced budget allocations. However, what we are seeking is some kind of parity. The mid-west per capita is under resourced relative to other areas in the country.”

Prof Masterson said they are working with the HSE locally to try and come up with some inventive solutions to minimise the impact of the cuts and maximise alternative sources of funding.

“But I would call on that huge silent majority to agitate and put pressure on their public representatives.”

TD Niall Collins failed to have the Croom hospital cuts raised in the Dáil yesterday. It was clear, he said, the Government was not living up its promises.

“In the run up to the last election and in their Programme for Government, Fine Gael and Labour made a promise that they would make the Dáil more relevant. Well how is it relevant to reject a proposal that seeks to discuss an issue of such importance to the people of Limerick… My office has been inundated with people expressing their immense disappointment at the HSE decision to reduce the surgical capacity by 50%.”