Fears are growing that the HSE is to close the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda.
A top level meeting between the 30 staff members and health service executives is scheduled to take place tomorrow.
The HSE has so far refused to comment but according to local politicians and staff members the decison has already been made and staff members are being asked to transger to the Lourdes Hospital.
Local Labour TD Ged Nash expressed anger and frustration at the move and branded it a ” bombshell decison”.
He fumed:”I did not spend 2011 and 2012 successfully fighting to keep the Cottage Hospital open for the care of older people and when the country was bankrupt, only to see Fine Gael and Fianna Fail health service recruitment policies lead to the gutting of the hospital at a time when the country has never been richer.
“The solution to staffing beds in the Lourdes is not to close Drogheda’s only suite of step-down beds in the public system, outsourcing more work that should be done by the public system to the expensive private nursing home sector.
“Arguments from the HSE that there may be a net gain of beds in Louth and Meath by the end of the year are all well and good, but the staffing of those beds, based on this government’s track record is far from guaranteed. This does not change the fact that Ireland’s largest town will be left with no transitional care beds. This is a fact.”
Drogheda Fianna Fail Senator Alison Comyn said she is genuinely shocked by reports of the closure proposal and she is seeking clarification on the issue from the HSE and the Dept of Health.
She vowed to do everything she can to keep the 14 step down beds at the Cottage open.
Senator Comyn said:”This is a vital service that has cared for elderly and vulnerable patients for many years, helping people to recover closer to home, supporting families and freeing up much-needed beds in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
“The thought of patients from Drogheda being forced to travel to Dundalk or even further afield to access this care is simply unthinkable.
“My thoughts are also with the 30 loyal members of staff who learned of this proposal via a text message and now face and uncertain future.”
She raised the issue in the Seanad this morning and has contacted HSE management directly to seek clarity and requested them to reconsider the proposal.
She added:”This is nnot the first time th future of the Cottage Hospital has come under threat. I marched alongside concerned members of the community and politicians from across the politcal spectrum when closure was proposed in 2012.
“While long term beds were removed in 201, the Cottage Hospital continues to provide an essential service for patients and families across Drogheda and the surrounding areas. We cannot allow another eroision of healthcare services in the town.
“I will be doing everything in my power to stop this proposal and will keep the public updatd as more information becomes available.”
There is a doctor on call service at the hospital plus the Drogheda station for the National Ambulance Service which are not expected to be affected at the moment.
