Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says he has received a copy of the HSE plans for the future of the three Community Hospitals in Donegal – St Joseph’s, Lifford and Ramelton.
However, the Donegal TD said that whilst it is welcome news that we are now in receipt of the HSE/Rhatigan report a lot remains to be clarified and finally resolved before certainty can be stated regarding their long term futures as long term stay hospitals.
He said that not one cent has yet been approved by the Government for any of the three hospitals what we are dealing with is a report on recommendations concerning their respective futures.
He added that while the Rhatigan Plan calls for an injection of €3.5 million for St Joseph’s Stranorlar, an investment of €2.1 million for Ramelton and in the case of Lifford an entire new build hospital is required as the report recommends nothing for the existing Hospital.
“It will not be clear for some time what the intentions are of the HSE and the Government for all three Hospitals in terms of what capacity, breakdown of future bed usages and the services available to the patients – this we must determine and resolve in the coming months with the HSE and the Department of Health.
“In terms of St Joseph’s the Action Group are adamant that the long term bed capacity is essential for St Joseph’s Hospital in the years ahead this is now clearly understood from this report at this juncture.
“In terms of Lifford Community Hospital, whilst this is a potential game changer if the Government are genuinely committed to building a new Community Hospital in Lifford but that is not clearly stated in the Rhatigan Report it is only suggested that it is the only solution available – therefore I seek an immediate public declaration from the Minister of Health of his future intentions for a community Hospital in Lifford.
“It is essential that a community Hospital remain in Lifford but it seems now that the only hope for that is a newly built Hospital – it now demands action on the part of the HSE and Government to bring this to fruition.
“In terms of Ramelton an investment of €2.1 million is recommended to upgrade the facility and make the necessary proposed changes to the hospital, again this is welcome news but the bed capacity and future usages must be finally determined in order to resolve the community needs in terms of long term and short term bed capacities.
Pat the Cope stated this is a step in the right direction for the Community Hospital sector within the county but a lot more needs to be clarified in terms of hospital usages, increased staffing and the services which will be available in the respective hospitals.
In the case of Lifford the Government will need to prioritise the purchase of a new site and to secure planning for a new build – this can be done by accepting the principle of a new hospital is urgently required in Lifford, this I will be pursuing with the Minister directly.
In terms of St Joseph’s and Ramelton it must be absolutely certain that this investment will secure their long term future in terms of any future HIQU guidelines or directives – and that the Hospitals will be allowed to continue in the framework and model which they currently operate.
It is also essential that a clear timeline for the investment required be outlined so that all three hospitals can plan for the future and that the communities can be guaranteed that the Hospitals will be there in their current capacity, plans do not alone make Hospitals it is the financial back up and commitment of the HSE and the Department of Health that will resolve the issues and difficulties of these three hospitals.
I am calling on the Minister to immediately sanction the necessary capital in order to move all three projects forward concluded Pat the Cope.
Tags: