Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to have the opportunity to raise this important issue in the House. I thank the Ceann Comhairle. Just over a week ago, the Sonas Ward at St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Fermoy was closed by the HSE. The ward consisted of 12 beds, where eight patients were receiving either respite or convalescent care while the remaining four patients were long-term permanent residents of the hospital. Those who were receiving respite and convalescent care were taken in on a short-stay basis, which normally rotates fortnightly. The ward also provided for those who required acute patient care.

Staff at the hospital were informed that the closure of the ward would be temporary and that some element of a service may be resumed in September. However, many hospital staff believe this will not be the case, and the ward may remain closed for the foreseeable future and even permanently. This is due to the pressure on staffing levels that exists in the hospital. It was because of the lack of staff in the hospital that the Sonas ward was ultimately closed. St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Fermoy has experienced problems relating to a lack of staff for some time. Staff shortages have meant that many of the current crop of the hospital's staff have been forced to work extra hours, meaning they were overworked, tired and unable to perform to the best of their ability owing to the fatigue that many of them began to suffer. The crisis has worsened over the past 12 months in that when some staff requested that their hours be reduced, this was refused and some chose to take early retirement. This further added to staffing issues at the hospital. At present, only three nurses are working in each of the remaining wards. Everybody knows that many other small hospitals, similar to St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Fermoy, suffer from staffing issues. However, the concern of staff in Fermoy is that there has been no drive recently to recruit new staff.

The closure of the ward will have a serious effect on Fermoy and its surrounding areas. The closure of the ward will cause serious stress to full-time carers in the area who have relied on the ward's service for respite for the people for whom they were caring and for themselves. At a time when there is great pressure on home help services, the closure of the ward adds further unnecessary pressure on those who require these specialist services.

Any argument by the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, that the ward is not fit for purpose is without foundation. In January 2016, the then Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, allocated St. Patrick's Community Hospital €2 million in funding under the Government's capital spending programme from 2016 to 2021. This was to ensure that the best facilities were available for the residents and their families. I would like to know when St. Patrick's Community Hospital will be able to avail of this funding. Was it just a ploy during the election? Will the Minister of State give a commitment that the closure of Sonas ward at St. Patrick's Community Hospital is only a temporary measure and that it will be reopened at the earliest possible date? Will she will address the lack of full-time staff and staff shortages at St. Patrick's Community Hospital, Fermoy at the earliest date possible?

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