Clifden hospital reopening
Deputy Connolly again presses for Clifden hospital to reopen, citing local need and pressure on Galway services. The Taoiseach says he understands the frustration and will speak to the relevant Ministers and the HSE.
Faraor géar tá orm ospidéal an Chlocháin a ardú arís. Tá sé dúnta, fós dúnta in ainneoin an éilimh atá ar na seirbhísí san ospidéal sin agus in ainneoin go bhfuil brú damanta ar na seirbhísí i nGaillimh.
Once again, I raise the situation of the hospital in Clifden, which remains closed despite the best efforts of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, TDs and Senators. Local GPs and local people all want Clifden hospital to reopen. We have been given solemn promises that it will reopen but it remains closed. It has 12 respite beds. In Galway, 20-plus patients are ready to be discharged as we speak but they have no place to go. There are empty beds in Carraroe and in Merlin Park. At the same time, the hospital in Galway city is going under with the pressure. There is something seriously amiss with the management in the HSE that it is allowing this situation to continue.
