HSE confirm “appalling lack of linen” laundry issue raised by Deputy Marc MacSharry now resolved
IN response to concerns raised by Deputy Marc MacSharry that there was an “appalling lack of linen” in hospitals and other health care services in Sligo the HSE have confirmed issues which arose in late December with the laundry service have now been fully resolved.
Deputy Marc MacSharry (pictured below) first raised concerns about the service seven days ago in a post on his Facebook page stating he had been made aware there was an equipment malfunction at the laundry which caters for St John’s Hospital Sligo, Sligo University Hospital, and other health services in Sligo. He said this resulted in a “linen shortage” which included towels and bed linen. He added: “I am informed that on occasion this has led to patients being dried with ‘bed sheets’ and ‘kitchen cloths’ and ‘other materials’ rather than towels.
“In addition, I am informed that on at least one occasion a patient requiring an urgent sheet change could not be facilitated for some two hours due to the absence of clean linen. Such a situation is absolutely appalling.”
In a response to the Sligo Weekender, the HSE confirmed there had been a breakdown of a boiler in the central laundry on December 28, 2022, and that as of January 27, 2023, the laundry service for St. John’s Community Hospital is fully operational again.
The response stated: “The HSE can confirm that as of the 27th of January 2023, the laundry service for St. John’s Community Hospital is fully operational again following the breakdown of a boiler in the central laundry on 28th December 2022. Any shortages in supplies during this period have been addressed and the normal supply of linens has been fully restored for the hospital.
“A contingency plan had been activated by staff following the boiler breakdown at the end of December in an effort to minimise shortages and to ensure continued service for the hospital. Linens were delivered to the hospital on a daily basis and additional towels and other linens were purchased to address any identified shortages during this time.”