|
|
 |
You are > Home > You are staying put
|
Thursday, July 29, 2010
You are staying put
BY MARY MURPHY
PLANS for the transfer of services from the old hospital in Dingle to the new community nursing unit this Tuesday have been abandoned and patients looking forward to the new facility have been told they are staying put.
In a letter to public representatives in the county, Kerry Community Services official Michael Fitzgerald, said the first phase of transfer of services would have to wait for the go-ahead until the new hospital is formally registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
"The reason for the postponement is that it is now clear that the new hospital will not be formally registered with HIQA which is an obligation as part of the regulations relating to residential care for older people," he said.
"The HSE had been working to the Tuesday deadline and all outstanding issues had been cleared in advance of the transfer date," Mr Fitzgerald remarked.
"The registration process is lengthy and not achievable in the remaining timeframe," he added.
He stressed, however, that the new transfer date would be announced as soon as the registration process is complete but fears have now emerged that the process could take several months.
Kerry County Council member, Cllr Brendan Griffin, said the decision is a source of great disappointment for many people.
"Hopefully, the registration process with HIQA can be completed as soon as possible and a new transfer date will be announced soon," Cllr Griffin said.
"The new hospital will provide a much-needed improved service to the patients using the facility and their families and will be a much more staff friendly environment for the many dedicated professionals who have provided great care for their patients over the years in St Elizabeth’s Hospital, Dingle and for new staff members joining the team going forward," the Kerry County Council member said.
The HSE had confirmed that it intended opening the new €16.4 million nursing unit this week with the first phase transfer of 43 patients from the existing St Elizabeth’s Hospital due to take place.
Concerns expressed by nursing unions had been addressed after the nurses complained that no new posts were being created to manage 25 extra beds in the new hospital which will also house community facilities.
Main News Page |
Previous Page
|
|
|
|
