A ‘serious issue’ - Thirteen beds still closed at Killybegs Community Hospital

A Donegal County Councillor has vowed to continue to put pressure on the HSE in a bid to get Killybegs Community Hospital up to full operating capacity.

Cllr Jimmy Brogan says staff shortages are the reason that 13 beds remain closed at the facility, which has a maximum occupancy of 33.

“I have been in contact with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, and the HSE in relation to the staffing issues at Killybegs Community Hospital,” Cllr Brogan said.

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“It was brought to my attention that there are 13 short-term beds closed in Killybegs. The closed beds are a result of staffing issues which is a problem that has been ongoing for some time, I contacted the HSE back in March for an update because the Community Hospital was closed for admissions and was informed at the time that a number of beds had been closed to facilitate some ‘Essential Infection Prevention and Control Measures’.

“On March 28, the HSE confirmed to me, that admissions had re-commenced in Killybegs Community Hospital but had not indicated at the time that there was such a serious issue with staff shortages.

“It is very important that the staff who are needed to put these beds back in use are found as soon as possible, so these beds can be opened. The Community Hospital in Killybegs caters for a large population in a wide area from Glencolmcille, Ardara and up to Bruckless and Dunkineely.

“These beds are needed immediately, especially for elderly patients in these areas who want to stay in their own community and be close to their families. All efforts must be made to find the staff to fill these positions as soon as possible.”

Cllr Brogan added that the continuing problem of a lack of home-help in the public sector needs to be resolved.

“There is also a continuing problem with the lack of home-help, for a number of years it has been difficult to attract home-help because of the terms and conditions of employment,” he said. “The HSE should employ these home-help directly and phase out the use of private companies whose main concern is profits for their shareholders. I will continue to put pressure on the HSE to get this issue resolved as soon as possible.”