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118 beds taken out of service in three North Dublin hospitals

 

Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Dr Leo Varadkar has warned that northside hospitals will be a ‘war zone’ this winter due to the large number of in-patient beds that have been taken out of service.

 

His comments came as 14 more beds were closed in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown bringing to 24 the total number of beds closed there. Thirty-two beds are already closed in the Mater and 62 in Beaumont. In total, 118 beds have been taken out of service across the three North Dublin academic teaching hospitals which have had also had to contend with an increase in the number of patients due to the reduction of surgical services in Our Lady’s, Navan.

 

The beds have been closed as the hospitals are running over budget. Connolly Hospital is currently €4.5 million over budget. The hospital’s total budget for the year is €91 million.

 

“With 118 beds closed, hospitals on the northside will be a war-zone this winter. I have worked in the Emergency Departments in both Beaumont and Connolly Hospital and also on the wards during winter time. I know how busy it gets during the winter as the number of cases of pneumonia, COPD, heart failure and chest infections soar. With over a hundred beds closed, we are facing into an A+E trolley crisis the like of which we have never seen.

 

“Our health service is managed appallingly and the Minister’s policies are all wrong. It is absurd