A total of 28 beds are
currently closed at Letterkenny General Hospital
while a further four beds are closed at the Carn
Alzheimer Unit, according to a nurses' survey.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO)
survey shows that eight beds are closed at Ramelton
Nursing Unit while 66 beds are closed at Sligo
General Hospital.
The organisation has identified 1,672 beds closed
nationally including the four closures at the Ard
Aoibhinn Alzheimer Unit in Carndonagh Community
Hospital. The modern unit was officially opened just
over three years ago.
The INMO says the figures confirm that beds have
been closed "primarily due to budget cutbacks and
staff shortages in all regions despite the pressure
on the health system overall".
The INMO has renewed its call for all the closed
beds to be reopened immediately to help tackle the
current overcrowding crisis.
INMO general secretary Liam Doran said: “These
closed beds, which are both acute and continuing
care beds, must be reopened to ease the current
crisis and to give patients back their dignity.
"In addition, nursing and other support staff must
be employed so that the care required for these
patients can be provided in a safe and caring
environment."
Mr Doran added: "With this available resource there
is no excuse for the current indignity being
suffered by patients and the excessive workloads in
a most unsuitable environment being carried by
frontline staff.” |
