Ballyshannon's multi million euro hospital will not open on Monday as planned

It has been confirmed by the HSE that no residents or patients will be moved into the new multi million euro community hospital in Ballyshannon this coming Monday, as had been planned.

The new facility has been lying idle now for a number of months since completion and after HIQA suggested, following an inspection, that outdoor railings on the first floor needed to be heightened. This was completed around November last year and the hospital is now considered to be fully operational ready.

At present there is an ongoing dispute between the HSE and members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) regarding staffing issues and ratios on what was the old Sheil Hospital.

Ironically, it is 50 years ago that the HSE's predecessor, the old North Western Health Board (NWHB) took over the running of the hospital on March 1, 1974, on the directions of the High Court.

Today, the HSE have told donegalive.ie that "in the interests of good employee relations", they were deferring the movement of 26 existing residents located in Ballyshannon at the Rock Community Nursing Unit, which is located on the far side of the River Erne, opposite Fr Tierney GAA Park.  

Following queries from the Democrat/donegallive, they said: "The HSE has continued to engage with staff and the INMO and SIPTU in an effort to progress the move to the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital. 

"A date of Monday February 12 had been proposed by HSE management to facilitate the movement of the existing residents located in the Rock Community Nursing Unit. 

"The HSE is disappointed that the INMO and SIPTU have raised objections to move to the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital planned for Monday February 12. 

"In the interests of maintaining good employee relations, the HSE has agreed to defer the move on Monday and has requested the urgent assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to allow for further engagement to take place.

They went on to say that the opening of the new Ballyshannon Community Hospital "is an absolute priority for the organisation".  

"The quality of life of the 26 residents, who are very much looking forward to the new facility, has always been of paramount importance and significance to HSE management. This is a wonderful new facility which both staff and residents will enjoy for many years to come," they said.