Group to invite Reilly to visit Midleton hospital

Supporters of Midleton Community Hospital which has lost 14 of its 66 beds, are to write to the James Reilly, the health minister, inviting him to visit the facility.

The Co Cork hospital, which employs about 90 staff, now has 45 long-stay beds, five respite beds and two convalescent beds. It has lost beds after recording an occupancy rate of between 85% and 87% in the last year.

According to Kathleen Woulfe of the Friends of Midleton Hospital Group, the loss was due partly to a generous supply of private nursing homes in the area. “Other reasons include the fact that more people are staying home rather than going into nursing homes, while, because of the unemployment levels, more people are available to look after their elderly relatives and avail of the carer’s allowance.”