A local TD has said that “closing down” bedspace in a Laois hospital “would be unconscionable”, saying the multi-million-euro spend on the facility “cannot mean no extra beds.”
Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley made the remarks as he called for the capacity to be increased at St Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, when the new wing is completed.
“When the new wing that’s currently under construction is completed, this new section will have capacity for 50 residents,” Deputy Stanley said.
“Unfortunately, from what I know now, is when the new wing opens the capacity of the hospital will not increase beyond the current 58 beds that are there now.
“The plan at this point is that 50 of the residents in the existing hospital will move out to the new wing and there will be no gain in capacity.
“However, there are 25 beds in the existing section of the hospital that can be kept in use to give extra capacity.
“This part of the complex has been completely refurbished in recent years, the rooms are ensuite and there’s no reason why it can’t continue in use.
“It is not acceptable that a section of the hospital which has been extensively refurbished is now going to be left idle.
“Closing down this bedspace would be unconscionable, as there is a huge demand for public nursing home beds in the County.”
At a cost of over €31 million, the new 50-bed unit – along with a recently constructed eight-bed Dementia Unit adjacent to the hospital – would give a total capacity of 58 beds.
However, if the 25 beds in the refurbished section of the hospital were to be retained it would bring the overall capacity of St Vincent’s Hospital to 83 beds.
“We need to alleviate the shortage of nursing home beds in Laois, particularly public beds where excellent care is been provided,” Deputy Stanley said.
“There is a huge waiting list for families who are trying to get their loved ones into the Mountmellick nursing unit.
“The cost of Phase 1 which is nearly completed is in excess of €31 million and therefore if this does not give extra capacity it would be a huge mistake.”
The €31 million spent on the unit is almost three times the figure originally quoted in 2018 of €11.5 million.
Deputy Stanley said three-fold increase on the projected spend “shows the need to push ahead with projects in a timely manner – in the seven years we’ve been hanging around on this costs have escalated.”
The HSE submitted a planning application in 2020 to build the new 50-bed nursing unit at the Mountmellick site. That application was Phase 1 of a three-phase which was to result in 110 new beds and the refurbishment of another 20 beds.
However, Deputy Stanley said a response he received to a recent Parliamentary Question has thrown those plans into question.
The Laois TD asked that the HSE and the Government clarify that “the planned new second new wing (Phase 2) containing 50 beds and refurbishment of the oldest part of the hospital (Phase 3) is still in their plans and will go ahead.
“In the latest response I received to a Parliamentary Question, I have been told that the ‘scale and scope of phasing of these works is currently being reviewed with service colleagues, and once completed, the specific scope for Phase 2 will be determined.’
“This is a change of position now from the original plan of three definite phases.
“Therefore, I’m calling on, the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill to clarify, that Phase 2 and Phase 3 construction works will go ahead as planned and bring the overall capacity of the hospital to 130.
“Government parties also need to ensure that funding is provided in the National Development Plan, for the construction of Phase 2 and 3, of this project.”
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