Call to arms for community hospital

MUCH attention has been focused on hospital closures, but that obscures the reduction in community healthcare services.

These are the main casualties of the financial shortfalls. Child clinics, visits by public health nurses and special services for particular groups are badly affected. Some of the decisions are callous in their effects on those least able to bear them.

Midleton community hospital and home in east Cork has provided great care for old folk over many years.

While almost everything may be in order today, we cannot say with any certainty what lies ahead. We have a wonderful staff in this institution, and if the axe falls we must be prepared to put our money where our mouths are.

Back in 1987, we fought long and hard with officialdom and government to cease ward and hospital closures.

Doctors, nurses and the general public at that time supported the South Cork Health Committee to save Midleton hospital and home from part closure.

I appeal now to Health Minister Mary Harney and the HSE not to downgrade Midleton or other such hospitals in the east Cork region.

I’m sure the people of Midleton and environs will support this appeal for the sake of our old folk.

Cllr Noel Collins

‘St Jude’s’

Midleton

Co Cork