Harney claims credit for Bricin's idea

Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney today claimed it was her idea to use spare beds in a military hospital to relieve overcrowding in public hospitals.

The St Bricin’s military hospital off the North Circular Road in Dublin has up to 100 beds available.

Ms Harney said the plan had been instigated by her department and not by Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea, who announced it today.

“I actually approached Minister O’Dea a number of weeks ago because I’d had discussions with the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, Dermot Early. It (the hospital) had been examined before and was found to be unsuitable.”

She added: “Minister O’Dea was very positive in his response and I’m delighted that is the case.”

The facility is located just two miles from the Mater Hospital, which is experiencing overcrowding in its Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department due to a shortage of beds.

It has two operating theatres, radiology facilities and laboratory facilities but just four military patients.

At the launch of a review of the European Charter of Patients’ Rights, Ms Harney said an inspection of St Bricin’s hospital was being carried out today to see if it was suitable for public patients.

“I want to see any vacant bed, not only in this city but in the country, used in the interests of patients.

"And if that hospital can be used, it will be used.”

Minister O’Dea has said that he will inform Ms Harney of the hospital’s suitability for public use tomorrow.

A steering group set up five years ago found that it would cost around €7.5m to upgrade St Bricin’s Hospital but extensive work has been carried out since to modernise it.

The Irish Nurses’ Organisation (INO) said it welcomed the Government’s ’belated decision’ to possibly utilise empty beds in St Bricin’s hospital.

“The INO has consistently said that the A&E overcrowding is a national emergency which warrants a nationwide emergency response involving the full utilisation of every available bed and community service,” it said in a statement.