The Health Service Executive has pledged to continue services at Clifden district hospital in Co Galway after earlier saying it was no longer sustainable to provide them.
The HSE says the hospital has reached “crisis point” with staffing being provided on a day-to-day basis.
Management met local political representatives and a hospital support group on Friday, after which a press release was distributed saying it was no longer sustainable to maintain services based on the level of demand and the resources required to meet this.
Later on Friday, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and Siptu issued a joint statement “on the HSE decision to close Clifden district hospital”.
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The two unions described the sudden decision to close the hospital as shocking and said emergency engagement was needed with staff through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. The also accused the HSE of failing to keep them informed.
The HSE then issued a second statement saying it will undertake a number of measures agreed at the meeting.
This include a meeting with local GPs in relation to respite care and a “further bespoke recruitment campaign” for nurses. It also said the current day services in Clifden will continue and efforts will be made to expand them.
The hospital is used as a stepdown unit and for respite care and rehab, though only two patients are currently accommodated, according to Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv. It also nursing care at St Anne’s which has 21 residents.
Mr O Cuiv, who attended the meeting on Friday, said the staffing situation at the hospital was “on a knife-edge”.
“The hospital is not closing but there are serious issues. I remain hopeful the problems can be resolved,” he said.
