DISAPPOINTMENT AS HOSPITAL DROPS ‘SAINTS’ FROM WARDS
BISHOP OF FERNS Denis Brennan said a decision to remove the word ‘saint’ from the names of wards in Wexford General Hospital in order to create a more secular environment for patients and staff, is ‘disappointing’.
The bishop issued a short statement saying: ‘While I understand this was not an initiative of local management, it is disappointing to find long established religious nomenclature removed without discussion or consultation.’
‘I appreciate the naming of public spaces nowadays would need to be approached differently, but if we feel we have to retrospectively erase all reference to religious beliefs in our public places we will end up with a very bland, colourless landscape, and one which does not reflect our evolving story as a society.’
Independent Wexford councillor Ger Carthy who is employed by the HSE said he doesn’t agree with the move which was implemented recently after hospital management drew down €25,000 from HSE Estates to cover the cost of new direction signage inside the building including the replacement of signs and name plaques with the prefix ‘saint’.
Wards are now called simply ‘ Gabriel’s’, ‘Catherine’s’, Aidan’s’ and ‘Mary’s’, without the religious prefix of ‘saint’, a move which follows the decision last Christmas not to have the traditional Nativity crib in the hospital.
Hospital general manager Lily Byrne said current policy is in favour of secular signage and the hospital carried out a ‘straw poll’ of staff, which resulted in the compromise of removing the word ‘ saint’ rather than changing the ward names completely. When contacted, Independent councillor Ger Carthy said: ‘I don’t agree with it’. ‘Who gave out about the original signs that have stood the test of time and served Wexford Hospital well? Religious institutions funded a lof of the facilities in Wexford General Hospital back in the day. It’s showing disrespect to the generations of religious orders who worked in and provided money for the hospital. When there was very little in Ireland, they managed the hospital and trained nurses. I think this was a very ill-advised move.’ Cllr Carthy, who works as a paramedic, said it is acceptable to introduce names such as Ash Ward and Beech Ward into a new building like St John’s Hospital but it is wrong to change the existing names of wards called after saints. He said a number of staff are very upset about the change. ‘We’re crying out for an acute psychiatric unit in Wexford General Hospital and we turn around and spend €25,000 on signs. If it’s policy, who is setting the agenda? The HSE are making it up as they go along.’ In a statement, the HSE said: ‘Wexford General Hospital conducted a short sample survey. It was determined by the majority that religious symbols should be removed.’ ‘It was felt that the hospital needed to move towards more modern signage and in consideration for a more secular society.’ The HSE said the hospital has a large plaque at the entrance commemmorating the religious founders of the hospital, the St John of God sisters. The health executive said the hospital also has an oratory for staff and patients where Mass is celebrated. ‘All and no faith traditions are treated with respect and dignity at Wexford General Hospital,’ it said.
Dear Editor, Thank you for informing us on your front page last week about the latest events at Wexford General Hospital.
This is a blatant insult to our two national saints, St Patrick and St Brigid. It will always be St Brigid’s Ward and St Patrick’s Ward to me.
Is this the best use of public money? I suggest an extra nurse, a bed or something useful would be better.
I hope the people of Wexford will show their disgust at this waste of money. Removing the crib was bad but this change is an insult to the people of Wexford! I would like to know who is responsible.
I feel sorry for the chaplain. He is probably tucked away in some office so as not to offend anyone!
I always found foreign people of all religions loved to embrace our culture and heritage. Let us do the same and be proud to do so. Yours sincerely. (Name and address with the Editor)