STAFF ARE struggling to provide a safe level of care to patients at one of Ireland’s top-performing hospitals because of cutbacks, protesters in Mullingar were told over the weekend.
More than 4,000 people took to the streets to protest over the erosion of services at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, on Saturday.
Described as a pre-emptive strike by Labour TD Willie Penrose, the protest march was organised in response to rumours of further cutbacks at the midland hospital.
Mr Penrose said 41 acute beds, accounting for 20 per cent of the hospital’s bed capacity, were closed last November.
He accused the Health Service Executive of reneging on promises and said the organisation could not be trusted.
Praising staff at the hospital, Mr Penrose said the facility provided medical cover for 120,000 residents of Longford and Westmeath.
Lorraine Monaghan, of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, claimed the depletion of staff and closure of acute beds had had catastrophic consequences at the hospital.
“We have seen 36 nurses and midwives not replaced over the last 18 months and that’s not including the 10 or 12 staff members currently on maternity leave,” she said.
Ms Monaghan added the hospital was experiencing a staffing crisis and staff were struggling to provide a safe level of care to their patients.
The closure of the acute beds had put severe pressure on accident and emergency services where some patients had been left waiting on trolleys and chairs, she added.
Senator Nicky McFadden (FG) claimed a lack of political will had led to the hospital being starved of funds. “Further services are going to go to Tullamore, the home of Taoiseach Brian Cowen, and that is wrong,” she said.
She promised Fine Gael, when in government, would increase investment in the hospital.
Una Flynn, of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, said: “We are here today to say stop to Minister Mary Harney and hands off our hospital,” she said.
Westmeath GAA chairman Tom Farrell echoed her sentiments. “The GAA in Westmeath and Longford will stand behind the local community,” he said.
Fianna Fáil TD Peter Kelly received a frosty reception. Order had to be called as the crowd jeered and booed the Longford politician. “I will put my politics aside for the good of the hospital,” he said. He said he would fight with the people for the future of the hospital.