Fear of further bed cuts at St Joseph’s Hospital

STAFF at St Joseph’s Geriatric Hospital, Ennis are questioning the planned reconfiguration of long-stay residential elderly care facilities amid fears of further substantial cuts in overall bed numbers.
SIPTU has pledged to seek clarification from the Health Service Executive (HSE) about the number of beds that will be provided in St Joseph’s and other elderly care facilities in the county over worries that services will have to be reduced due to budgetary cutbacks.
SIPTU spokesman, Tony Kenny, claimed public services are now seeing the effects of the moratorium on recruitment and a perceived move from public to private beds in the care of the elderly.
There is unconfirmed speculation that up to 30 beds will have to be cut in St Joseph’s because of budgetary cuts.
According to one staff member, there were 350 beds in St Joseph’s 20 years ago, which they claim is now down to about 110.
The staff member claimed some staff have been moved between units four times in the last 12 months and now there is growing uncertainty about their future amid further bed reductions.
The HSE employee alleged that no new long-stay inpatient admissions have been taken in St Joseph’s since last December and that patients are now only being taken in for respite.
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed it is reviewing the provision of elderly care services at St Joseph’s Hospital and have embarked on a process that has involved consultation with staff and staff associations.
“This has arisen because we are faced with doing what is best for our clients and responding to changing needs, incorporating national policies and how services are delivered with particular reference to HIQA requirements and the need to respond in a timely and safe manner to the constraints that are being placed on available resources.
“Although public attention will likely focus on the budgetary and staffing aspects of these changes, it is important to recognise that while these factors are bringing an acute spotlight on the need for change, the major driver is to meet the needs of our patients, improve the quality of their care and comply with HIQA requirements for Residential Standards for Older Persons Services,” she said.
Contrary to the allegation, the spokeswoman stressed there has been in excess of 200 admissions to St Joseph’s Hospital between December 1, 2009 and May 5, 2010.
“Currently, there are 166 beds in the hospital. The phasing down of beds has occurred because of the implementation of Residential Care Standards as per the HIQA requirements and compartmentalisation of units to comply with fire safety regulations.
“Staff and the public can be assured that there will be no job losses but that staff may be re-deployed to other areas in the hospital.
“In line with all other public services, the budget for Clare Elderly Care Services has been reduced to take account of recent pay reductions,” she added.