The crowd in An Ionad Teampaill Chróine
An estimated 250 people packed Ionad Tempaill Croine in Dungloe last night for a Public meeting in relation to the closure of 10 short stay beds at Dungloe Community Hospital.
The meeting which was called by local Councillor-Marie Therese Gallagher, heard that due to the embargo on replacing staff, that beds have had to close since two staff had gone on sick leave.
Addressing the large attendance Marie Therese Gallagher, Councillor David Alcorn and Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP agreed that the fight against the closures should be a community approach and not a political one.
“I do not believe that there is an agenda to close the Hospital” – Pat the Cope Gallagher stated in his address “but the embargo must be relaxed to allow these beds to open”.
Richie Curruthers from Impact and Declan Ferry from SIPTU spoke of their frustration and continued highlighting of the practice of closing beds just because staff went off either on maternity leave or sick leave.
The Union representatives also spoke about the intended HSE offer of extended leave to staff which would simply add to the problem.
Frank Campbell- a member of the local lobby group elected two years ago gave an outline of meetings the group had with Donegal management of the HSE and his feeling that these talks “suited the HSE as it meant the local community wouldn’t protest if talks were ongoing”.
Many members of the public spoke of the high quality of care which is consistently given by the Hospital staff as well as the unique rural catchment area which includes Arranmore Island. “We should be looking for more beds- up to 60 beds and not here discussing bed closures”- one speaker said.
In a call to use the spirit, numbers and energy of the meeting to create a positive action stemming from the night – The Chairman of the meeting Charlie “the Yank” Boyle summarized the various suggestions and asked for agreement on the following proposals which came from the floor;
1- A protest march to be held in Dungloe in the weeks ahead to highlight the bed closures and to allow the wider public to show their opposition in a dignified yet strong manner.
2- Pat the Cope Gallagher would make direct contact with the local TD and Government Junior Minister Dinny McGinley with a view to the possibility of securing a meeting with the Minister for Health James Reilly.
3- Additional members from the meeting would join the lobby group and members from that group would meet with the HSE management next week to highlight the local opposition to the bed closures.
The meeting was the largest attended in a series over recent years and the feeling locally is that the provision of these short stay beds is an essential and vital part of local Health services at the Dungloe Community Hospital. The upcoming protest march gives an opportunity to the community of West Donegal to show their clear opposition to the closure of vital beds.