St Vincent’s Hospital is a County Issue – Daly

Raising the issue of the diminishing beds at St. Vincent’s Hospital at Kildare County Council Cllr Richard Daly of Fine Gael said that the issue is not just an Athy one but a county issue

“St Vincent’s Hospital has been providing service to the people of the county for the past 170 years and in recent years we have seen bed numbers diminishing by stealth. The closure of St Camillus’ ward was the only closure which was obvious but continuously the number of beds has been diminishing.

While I am not being critical of the level of care in our private hospitals I am calling on all of the County Council representatives to support our public hospitals which are under threat as more and more step down patients are being directed towards the private sector.

Assurances have been given that the hospital will be protected but indications are that in order for that to happen that there could be a further diminution of bed numbers. This will not be tolerated by the people of Athy and Kildare in general. If the number of patients per ward is to be reduced then we must develop new wards.

Following representation St Vincent’s was last week readded to the list of step down facilities for Naas General having previously been removed. This is to be welcomed but only if beds are available so I am asking Kildare County Council to demand of the Minister of Health that the lost beds are restored to St. Vincent’s Hospital for the sake of the county in general”