Minister for Health Simon Harris is to be invited to Donegal to meet local councillors and answer for the still-uncertain future of three community hospitals.
Concerns are growing as the Government has not given a commitment to retain long-stay beds and dementia care beds at Ramelton, St. Joseph’s and Lifford Community Hospital. This is despite over 100 parliamentary questions made by local deputies on the issue.
Cathaoirleach of the Stranorlar MD Patrick McGowan has this week called on the Government to formally rescind a previous decision to downgrade all three Hospitals.
The move, which was included in the Health Capital Plan for Services first published by Minister Kathleen Lynch in 2016, revealed plans to move the long stay accommodation capacity and services to a planned new Letterkenny Community Hospital.
“What we are asking for is an agreed plan to future proof long-stay beds, restore bed and staff numbers and restore services to all three hospitals,” said Cllr McGowan.
He added: “The National Development Plan doesn’t affirm the reversal of the policy taken in 2016. The record on the Dáil still states that the 2016 plan for nursing homes in Ireland still stands.”
The council agreed to write to the Minister for Health and the HSE to reverse the plan and give assurance for the future of the three hospitals. In an amendment raised by Cllr Ian McGarvey, the councillors agreed to personally invite Minister Harris to the County Chamber.
Tags: