Greater ‘common sense’ is needed on fire safety regulations which are causing lengthy closures in Donegal’s community hospitals, according to Councillor Ciaran Brogan, Chairperson of the Regional Health Forum West.
HIQA has been urged to come before the Regional Health Forum West to hear concerns over regulations and their impact on the health system.
Councillor Ciaran Brogan said he’s seen “a huge amount of blockages in the system being caused by decisions taken by HIQA”.
“We respect the challenging role that HIQA has, and it has improved, but there are areas where there needs to be more common sense,” he said.
Cllr Brogan said that fire safety is an issue that needs further discussion between the committee and HIQA.
He pointed out that, between Donegal’s main community hospitals at Falcarragh, Dungloe, Stranorlar, Buncrana and St Joseph’s, there are 63 beds closed pending renovation works to bring the wards in compliance with HIQA regulations.
“You have the local Chief Fire Officer making a decision that they believe a particular hospital or unit is fully compliant, and then we have a situation of someone from HIQA saying they don’t agree,” Cllr Brogan said.
“In Donegal today, between all the community hospitals, there is a huge challenge of delayed discharges from Letterkenny University Hospital, a lot of people that could be out of the acute hospital have nowhere to go.”
Cllr Brogan had a motion passed by the Regional Health Forum West yesterday inviting HIQA to meet members.
“We need to be focusing more on patient care,” he said.
“I have no doubt that it’s in everyone’s interest to do what’s best for the patients, care and safety.”
