Seanad debates

Thursday, 7 May 2009

 

Hospital Services.

12:00 pm

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I know Senator John Paul Phelan will support me fully on this issue. I want the Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, in his reply on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to make clear there has been no attempt to downgrade the accident and emergency services at Wexford General Hospital. Some concerns have been expressed recently that an attempt would be made to change the current 24-7 availability of accident and emergency services at that hospital. This concern is genuine. When I was Fine Gael spokesperson on health an attempt was made under the Hanly proposals to downgrade our accident and emergency department. Subsequently, there were supposed to be plans to expand this department when we had put Hanly to one side but that has not happened. There is concern at Wexford General Hospital, not only for the accident and emergency department but also because there have been bed closures there in recent weeks. We fought for years to get an additional 21 beds at the hospital and now 25 beds have been closed, so we are again in a negative situation.

There is concern that front-line services are taking a major hit, regardless of what the Government is saying at present. There is extreme difficulty in getting home helps, as I know from being both a political representative and a doctor. It is difficult to get additional home help hours for patients and hours for new patients at present. This does not relate just to the elderly but is happening in the disability sector as well. Respite beds are also restricted at a rate that has not been seen for many years.

I would like the Minister of State to deal with these issues in his reply in terms of the effects these cuts are having, not just on primary care. That includes services in the community provided by home helps, public health nurses and occupational therapists. I want him to confirm that the accident and emergency services at Wexford General Hospital will not be downgraded and that no attempts will be made to change this, either now or in the future. I would like a comprehensive reply from the Minister of State in that regard.

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