Fr John Joe Duffy speaking at the meeting.
THE chairman of the Lifford Ramelton Stranorlar Community Hospitals Action Group has expressed his anger at the ongoing “political shenanigans” of both the HSE and the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht.
Fr John Joe Duffy, C.C., Save Our Services, was responding to the most recent statements regarding the future of Lifford, Ramelton and Stranortlar Community Hospitals issued by Mr John Hayes, HSE Chief Officer for the North West, and Minister McHugh.
The Committee is holding an emergency meeting this evening.
“If I were to welcome this statement from both the HSE and the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, I would do a dis-service to the cause of Save Our Services at Lifford, Ramelton and St. Joseph’s Stranorlar, Community Hospitals.
“It would be untruthful of me to welcome this because there is nothing new, nothing concrete and there is nothing guaranteed in this statement. It is just complete political shenanigans.
“In fact it confirms for Lifford the termination of long term residential care. It does nothing to allay the fears for St. Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar. And I seriously doubt that on a long term basis it guarantees any future for Ramelton Community Hospital,” Fr Duffy said.
The chairman of the group said he was disappointed that an opportunity was lost to allay the fears and anxieties of so many people in the broader community, to allay the fears of the decision announced on January 26th by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch.
What we seek is very simple and does not require a long winded statement. It is as follows.
1. A complete reversal of Minister Kathleen Lynch’s decision regarding the removal of the Residential Care Units at our 3 Hospitals.
2. An assurance that long-term stay capacity/ Residential Care Units remain in all 3 Hospitals and the future for them is secured.
3. A Capital plan is put in place for all 3 Hospitals to bring them to HIQA standards. This plan be implemented between 2016-2018.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)