White Saddened by Decision to Close Mount Carmel Hospital
On a personal level and as a local TD I was sad to hear the news that Mount Carmel is to be placed in liquidation.
This is a difficult time for all of the hard working and committed staff at the hospital. Mount Carmel is a Churchtown landmark and an important local employer.
I understand that it wasn’t possible for the State to purchase the hospital as a going concern without involving additional financial exposure to the taxpayer.
The HSE is now working with the staff of the hospital to ensure that all patients’ needs are met in the short term and that arrangements are made with alternative hospitals so as to ensure as seamless a transition as possible for patients in accordance with their choice.
The move of the National Maternity Hospital from Holles Street Hospital to the St. Vincent’s campus will provide for additional capacity for maternity services in the future. Birth rates have fallen significantly in recent years and the CSO projects that birth rates will continue to fall at least until the early 2020s.
I met with trade union representatives of Mount Carmel this week. I assured them of my intention to do everything possible to support the staff at this very stressful time.
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