Cork's smaller nursing homes facing closure
NURSING homes in Kanturk, Macroom and Millstreet could face closure following comments by Health Minister James Reilly that such facilities with less than a 50 bed capacity are 'difficult to maintain.'
A survey of community hospitals across North and Mid-west Cork shows that the facilities in Kanturk, Macroom and Millstreet all have a capacity of less than 50 beds.
On December 8 last, Minister Reilly and HSE Chief Executive Cathal Magee appeared in front of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children and confirmed that the HSE would seek to reduce its personnel by 3,200 in 2012.
Mr Magee confirmed that nursing homes "may necessitate consolidation" as part of the staff reduction process.
"I have made it clear that some community nursing units will have to close, and that there are reductions around the country," Minister Reilly told the committee.
"The Department and the HSE will have to meet to review the situation fully and to examine the criteria that will be used. I am happy that we have met with some groups and that alternative proposals are being put on the table which we can examine.
"There is a rule of thumb, which Mr Magee will confirm, however, that any unit of less than 50 beds is difficult to maintain from a financial viewpoint," Minister Reilly added.
This week, Minister Reilly said that he would look at alternative means of keeping such hospitals open, where there was a local demand for the facility. Such options could include local groups forming a legal trust and assuming responsibility for the hospital from the HSE.
- JOE LEOGUE
