Hospitals on alert for overcrowding as nursing unit is forced to shut down

HOSPITALS in the midlands have been told to brace themselves for yet more overcrowding after a major HSE nursing unit for elderly people was forced to close due to funding and staff cutbacks.

A HSE spokesperson has confirmed that the 50-bed Abbeyleix community nursing unit in Co Laois will be shut over the coming weeks because the issues mean it can no longer guarantee “a safe service”.

“The decision to close the unit was taken on the basis that the capacity to continue to deliver a safe service is not possible in view of the reducing financial allocation across all HSE services, continued reductions in staff numbers and the difficulty in meeting HIQA standards,” the spokeswoman said.