No move on Warerford nursing unit despite promise

A hospital action group in Waterford says it is in limbo, eight years after it first began lobbying the government for a community nursing unit.

A hard-fought campaign appeared to have borne fruit last October, when the Government seemed set to deliver a 100-bed nursing unit at St Patrick’s Hospital.

However, despite a design team being selected last autumn to work on the community unit, planning permission has yet to be sought.

It is envisaged planning will now be submitted before the end of March.

But former city councillor Davy Walsh, who spearheads the local action group, remains sceptical.

“We were very disappointed when the planning process was delayed and, until the planning application is lodged, we remain in a state of limbo,” he said.

Mr Walsh said it has been a long and difficult road for the protestors, but “some campaigns are worth sticking with. We definitely don’t feel like giving up, because we’re doing this on behalf of the people of Waterford, and the people of Waterford have let us know that they are backing us 100%.”

In 2009, the 19-bed upper-floor of St Brigid’s Ward, in St Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford, was closed by the HSE, following a report from Hiqa which cited concerns about health and fire safety.

Arrangements were made for 30 private nursing-home beds to be made available and the then government also promised to build a 100-bed community nursing unit on the grounds of St Patrick’s.

The group continues to picket the hospital, every Tuesday at lunchtime, and has also travelled to the Dáil on four occasions to lobby various health ministers.

He is hopeful the group has put enough pressure on the Government and HSE, but said he will not believe it until he sees it.

Capital funding of €19.8m was announced last week for the unit. However, Mr Walsh said false hope was given in the past. In 2007, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party reneged on a promise.

“We have been down that road before,” he said. “We will not be tricked by anyone. We have been lied at, and misled, every step of the way.

“Until I see the contractors in there digging up the site, until I see the roof going on, until I see bricks and mortar laid and until I see the allocation of beds, I won’t believe it.”

However, local Labour TD Ciara Conway said the investment package underlines the Labour Party’s commitment to standing up for the elderly in the community and maintain the current public nursing-home bed stock.