Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I wish to highlight the circumstances surrounding the proposed closure by the Health Service Executive of St. Brigid's elderly care ward in St. Patrick's Hospital in Waterford. The reason given for the closure, as reported by the media, is to address health and safety concerns in the ward which is situated upstairs in the hospital. However, these health and safety risks have been already identified and dealt with in the ward in the past year. The number of beds has been decreased to make the area ergonomically safe. Public moneys of €50,000 were put into that unit in 2008 and €300,000 was paid out for it in the period from 2005-07, of which €100,000 was national lottery money. This was announced and approved by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, on a visit to the hospital. That money was invested in the ward over this period in conjunction with the Health and Safety Authority, the HSE and the Friends of St. Patrick's Hospital, allowing all the required standards to be met.

The fundraising body for St. Patrick's Hospital contacted me. It questioned the HSE on its decision to close beds for the most vulnerable in society at a time when all statistics show the rise in our older population demographics and the demand for elderly care. Fundraising to support so many projects in St. Patrick's Hospital has been made possible only because of the support of the people of Waterford and south Kilkenny. These people are flattened at the moment by all the incidental events in the area, at Waterford Crystal, Bausch & Lomb and other places. Contributions, to date, of €500,000 have transformed the hospital. The care given is of the highest standard in the country. Staff have taken great pride in the fact that word of the hospital's excellence and its developments have been quoted nationally by Professor Drumm and by the Minister, Deputy Harney, following their visits and meetings with patients. These visits came about following nationally led projects for the elderly put in place by the skilled and dedicated staff of St. Patrick's who had a vision to improve the care of their elderly patients. They were aided by the facilities and enhanced services at the hospital.

It is amazing to see the relationship between the staff and the patients. The Friends of St. Patrick's Hospital is a registered charity and has always worked well with the HSE, under guidance and trust, to support buildings and extensions, dayroom and therapeutic areas within the hospital. All the goals have been met with regard to enhancing——-