Outrage over Merlin Park bed closures

By FIONA McGARRY THERE IS widespread anger at the revelation that 105 beds have been closed at Merlin Park Hospital, and concern that the situation will persist if further draconian health cuts are implemented for 2011. Merlin Park has more beds closed than any other hospital in the country, and the situation in the western region is the country's worst, with a total of 334 beds shut. The Health Service Executive (HSE) West, which stretches from Donegal to North Tipperary, is struggling to contain a massive budget deficit, and it has admitted that cost containment is one of the reasons for the raft of closures. The HSE also cites infection control, refurbishment and a move to more day case procedures as reasons why so many beds are currently off limits to patients. News of the closures come at a time when there is huge pressure on resources at both University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park. According to figures secured from the HSE by RTE, the breakdown for the other regions shows that Dublin North East has 203 beds closed; Dublin Mid-Leinster has 172; and the South has 82. Cllr Catherine Connolly, a member of the HSE West's Regional Health Forum, and a newly-declared candidate for the constituency of Galway West said the bed closures appalled her. She pointed out that there are 25,000 on waiting list for procedures at UHG, and said the bed closures were further proof of the Government's ongoing push towards privatisation of the health system. Against this backdrop, health services are braced for the possibility of budgetary cuts of more than €200 million next year. Even before a projected overspend of €40 million in this region is reined in before the end of next month, drastic cuts are forecast for next year. Unions representing health services staff met HSE managers last Friday and expressed concern about the lack of information on how cuts are to be implemented this year and next. In its latest performance report, the Health Service Executive (HSE) says that it now expects to break even at the end of the year, following the implementation of significant cost savings across the country. Galway University Hospitals (GUH) were still more than seven per cent over budget at the end of September, while Portiuncula Hospital's overspend stood at more than 13 per cent. By comparison, the overrun in the community health sector in Galway had been reduced to three per cent. Cllr Colm Keaveney, a member of the HSE West Regional Forum, and a SIPTU negotiator, told The Tuam Herald he found it hard to see how the authority could reach a breakeven situation, even though it is obliged by law to do so. 'It is doubtful in the extreme that the hospitals sector will be able to make these savings before the end of December. In the meantime, there is complete confusion as to how savings will continue to be made. 'We had what I would describe as a fractious meeting last week. We are just not being given enough detail to get a clear picture of the precise cuts planned.' Cllr Keaveney contrasted the situation at the HSE with that at the country's local authorities, which are also struggling to manage swingeing funding cuts. 'The local authorities have grasped the nettle and clearly laid out their own reorganization plans. They may be difficult to swallow, but at least there is some clarity as to what people can expect in terms of services. 'When it comes to the HSE, managers are doing everything possible to stop any political fallout for Government and that is a very cynical exercise. 'What we do know is that, as bad as this year has been in terms of cuts, next year will be worse.' While this year's deficit for HSE West was predicted in August to be €90 million, unless action was taken, the latest monthly performance report for the month of September shows the deficit has been reduced to about €40 million. The report says that hospitals across the State are running at a deficit of €102 million, while community services are running at a deficit of €27 million. These deficits are being offset by savings in other areas. 'The overall health system is substantially achieving break even against budget,' the report adds. It acknowledges several hospital AE departments, including that at University Hospital Galway (UHG), are under pressure at present.