Fermanagh children’s hospice faces axe due to lack of nurses

Paula Kelly: This is awful — the hospice provides a vital service to very ill children and their families. They should be opening more of these types of places, not having to close them because there isn’t enough staff. Very sad indeed.

Clare Smyth: There were over 65 nurses who applied for places on the return to practice course this year and only 30 places are available. These are fully qualified nurses who left for varying reasons and are required to complete a return to practice course at their own expense. The requirements include 10 weeks of unpaid clinical placement. Perhaps some of the great and good people in the Department of Health could look at how the process of return to practice could be made more accessible and attractive to those wishing to go back to work. Vivien Ann Hughes: How can they let this happen? Nurses and carers are not paid enough, or supported enough, with their education and employment, to be able to do the job they want to, so that patients can receive the care they deserve. They should be able to open more places like this... not close the excellent places they already have!

Helen Coard: Absolutely shameful that we cannot support families when they are most in need.

Janice Wilson-Haslem: Our so called local government has a lot to answer for.

Joan Gallagher Rodgers: This is what NI MPs should be working on.

Greg Ulidian: Time to end both foreign aid and endless, pointless inquiries costing millions to appease republicans. Health and services must take priority.

Barbara L Morrow: Beyond awful.

Derek McKane: Butsure the Government is telling everyone that there are more nurses than ever before.

Jean Been: Heartbreaking shame on our so-called government.

Pamela Bingham: So sad.