Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The people of Dungarvan in west Waterford were shocked by the sudden and unforeseen closure of 16 beds in the Sacred Heart unit at Dungarvan Community Hospital at the weekend. Like everyone else, I was taken aback by the announcement at the weekend that the remaining 16 beds would be closed at the unit as a result of staff shortages. The way it was announced on the eve of a bank holiday weekend was an attempt to bury the story in the hope it might just go away. Families were contacted last Thursday and Friday and told the unit was closing with immediate effect. The 16 beds closed comprised 11 rehab beds, three long-stay beds and two respite beds. This unit provides vital rehab services and physiotherapy for people recovering from stroke and accident, allowing patients to convalesce on a short-term basis. The importance of the two respite beds cannot be underestimated with families availing of these vital services two weeks of the year when their loved ones get excellent care and the carers get a much needed break. These facilities are a key factor in dealing with overcrowding in our acute hospitals. If we see further reduction in capacity in places such as Dungarvan, how can we possibly deal with the overcrowding in UHW and our other acute hospitals? The hospital in Dungarvan is a vital step-down unit. In January 2017, seven beds were closed in the unit and the closure of the 16 remaining beds is a major blow to Dungarvan and west Waterford. Family members of patients contacted me at the weekend because they are deeply concerned about where their loved ones will be moved to. The unit allowed people from the west Waterford area to stay close to their families. One of the issues cited was a shortage of nurses, which is now at critical stage. There are issues with nursing recruitment and retention but not letting those who will be directly affected by a decision to close know in advance has resulted in serious disturbance and upset among patients, families, staff and the wider community.

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