A Kilkenny politician has spoken out about the revelation in this paper last week that Kilkreene Orthapaedic hopsital is to close two thirds of its beds until after Christmas.
The Fine Gael Senator has described proposed cuts at Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital as “drastic” arguing that they will force many elderly people and others on waiting lists to endure further hardship and discomfort.
Senator Phelan urged the HSE to reconsider its plan to close 20 beds and cut operations there by more than half, within weeks.
“If we are to believe in a future for public health at Kilcreene hospital, which is a shining example for the entire country in terms of orthopaedic surgery, then its services should not be cut back by way of the drastic measure the HSE is proposing. I hope it will reconsider the provision of health care for public patients because if this comes into play, there are many people on waiting lists who will wait a lot longer for the urgent hip, knee and other joint replacement operations they require,” Senator Phelan said.
Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Phelan added, “Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital is a fantastic facility that processes a large number of orthopaedic procedures every year and it is a remarkably successful hospital. In particular, it has managed to better control the number of infections that can be so damaging to elderly people who are hospitalised to undergo orthopaedic procedures. It is an example that should be used across the rest of the country. I am particularly shocked and disappointed by the actions of the Health Service Executive. The HSE released a statement dated June 2 in which it tried to couch the closure of 20 beds in Kilcreene as something that was a success for the HSE in that it would increase and meet its target for day case procedures.
“A number of facts were included in that press release which are frankly wrong and are downright lies. The HSE states that the closure of 20 beds is to facilitate the staff of the hospital to go on annual leave. That is not the truth. Staff at the hospital are not seeking such closures to facilitate annual leave.
“It is worth pointing out that in recent years the number of times the hospital beds have been closed has increased. Budgets are the issue and while the HSE, no more than any other government agency, must strive to operate within its budget there is also the greater public health issue, Senator Phelan said.
“Kilcreene hospital is a perfect example of how public patients should be treated in the private hospital sector. Its reputation is renowned nation-wide. It currently operates with six consultants who come from Waterford, one each day, to carry out the procedures at the hospital. They have been told to reduce the number of joint replacement operations to two per day rather than four or five, which currently take place. These cuts are proposed to come into place from July 1 which would see a reduction from 51 beds to 31 beds until the end of the year at least.
