Reilly visits battling hospital

THE Health Minister said there is “room for compromise” in a continuing battle between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and campaigners over bed closures at a West Cork hospital.

During a private visit yesterday to Clonakilty Community Hospital, Dr James Reilly said he wanted to see for himself what the situation on the ground was, because he had heard the community’s concerns.

Already, the HSE has closed 46 beds at the hospital, but plans to close a further 16 have been put on hold following a pledge by Dr Reilly to review the situation.

“We had a good meeting and people have been putting across their views vociferously so we will have to look at all avenues in this,” he said.

“I am hoping the HSE are taking the community’s concerns into consideration and I think they are so there is room for compromise here.”

Dr Reilly said he would like to see further exploration of ideas whereby day services might be moved upstairs, and that space could be used for more beds.

According to the HSE, the bed closures at the hospital are necessary to meet fire safety standards, otherwise the hospital would fail a mandatory registration process with the Health and Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).

However, the Clonakilty Community Hospital Action Group maintains the beds are badly needed and claims HSE patient projection figures are based on the 2006 census and so are not accurate.

Earlier, the minister opened a new facility in Mallow, which he said was “the way of the future”.

The €25 million Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre, is the largest of its kind in the country.

The centre is home to 240 healthcare professionals, including 20 GPs, nursing staff, 138 HSE personnel, medical students, psychology and counselling services, physiotherapy, osteopathy, and an on-site pharmacy.