Day-care services in Swinford suspended

‘UNFORTUNATE’?Cllr Joe Mellett.

Day-care services at Swinford Hospital remain suspended


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

THE families of patients who use Swinford District Hospital Day Care Services have been told by the HSE that efforts are being made to restore the current suspended services. The hospital, which is used by 40 patients daily, was due to re-open yesterday (Monday) after a two week holiday period. However, the service has been suspended due to a lack of staffing.
Speaking to The Mayo News about the current situation, local Cllr Joe Mellett said the difficulty is that the day-care service is not recognised as a front-line service.
“They cannot get in contract staff to run it because the HSE can’t recruit because of an embargo – but could they not move existing staff temporarily?” asked the councillor.
Currently there is one staff member at the day service, which requires a total of three staff to run it.
Cllr Mellett said the situation was unfortunate, as service users look forward to visiting the facility on the grounds of the hospital.
Meanwhile Fianna FΡil Deputy Dara Calleary said that he was disappointed that services have been suspended, and he has called for the situation to be rectified without delay.
“I am calling upon the HSE to provide an immediate alternative for users of day-care services in Swinford, for them to commit to the future of day-care services in Swinford and for intervention at the highest political level to support the retention of day-care services in Swinford,” he said.
“The reality is that we have four Government TDs in this county. I am appealing to them to intervene in this issue.”

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