18 October 2019
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
HSE fails to give completion date for St. Joseph’s in Millstreet or Kanturk Community Hospital
Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West Michael Moynihan has slammed further delays to upgrade works at two nursing homes in North Cork, which should have been completed last year.
Deputy Moynihan has received correspondence from the HSE relating to the projects at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in Millstreet and Kanturk Community Hospital. In 2016 the government committed to having the upgrades completed by 2018.
Michael Moynihan TD
“Like so many other promises made by this government, there has been no delivery. The works will be at least two years behind schedule as the Kanturk project is only at design stage and St. Joseph’s has just had its planning permission granted. It will be at least another year before either of these works are completed”, said Deputy Moynihan.
“These community hospitals play an important role in our health service. They provide much needed step-down services, respite and nursing home beds and allow people to be cared for in their own locality.
“The delays to the upgrade works are having serious impact on wider services. Without essential step-down facilities, people are forced to stay in hospital for an extended period of time, which in turn puts pressure on acute hospital beds. Nobody wants to stay in hospital any longer than is necessary, but this is now the situation for many older people from North Cork, because of the delays to essential upgrade works at our two community hospitals.
“This government has a record of promising big and failing to follow through. The situation is becoming increasingly frustrating for families needing residential and step-down care”, concluded Deputy Moynihan.
