HSE management are insistent that taxpayers deserve more from the INMO, after it was claimed that Mid Western Regional Hospital had descended into “chaos”.
They were responding to a statement from the Mid West INMO that a change in work practices and processes at the hospital would free up significant resources to “balance the books”.
“The INMO have never come forward with any proposal to this effect. Taxpayers deserve more,” read the HSE statement.
Local TDs gathered for cross-party discussions with trade unions about the reconfiguration of services.
“The hospital was to receive an additional 135 beds, these have not been provided and savings of €8.4m have been sought. This is to be achieved by closing three operating theatres and two wards at Dooradoyle and a theatre and a ward at Croom Orthopaedic Hospital,” said Labour TD Jan O’Sullivan.
“There is a strong cross-party determination to stop proposed closures at both hospitals. We were briefed by front-line staff about the devastating impact these cuts will have on patients”.
She stated that the trade unions highlighted that the shortfall for HSE Mid West had been reduced to €8.4 million from an original figure of €30million.
It was agreed that TDs would write to John Hennessy of HSE West to express their concern.
A staff nurse also approached the Limerick Post Newspaper to express her fears over impending cuts.
“Nobody is talking about the suffering. People have no idea how it’s going to affect them.
“Once they start, they will keep going but we have to fight for our service.
“This is only the tip of the iceberg we’re only getting little titbits of information… we don’t know what lies ahead.
“HSE management say that they have honest with the public sector unions about the need to adjust work practices and service provision in light of the limited resources that are allocated to the hospital.
“There is constant talk of closing theatres but no cuts to admin or clerical because they are being brought in by admin. They’re not going to cut themselves”.
According to the HSE, the reconfiguration of services is well underway and is providing a much safer service to the people of the region.
“We have no wish or desire to return to a situation which pertained previously where lives were lost as a result of inappropriate care provision”.
