STAFF C-19 OUTBREAK AT HOSPITAL
SERVICES AT MGH GRIND TO A HALT PROMPTING INCREASED FEARS OVER ITS FUTURE VIABILITY
ANSWERS need to be given as to why as many as 100 staff at Mallow General Hospital (MGH) have been off work over COVID-19 related concerns, resulting in a dramatic scaling down of services at the facility.
The issue has once again been raised by Cork East Labour TD Seán Sherlock, who last week told The Corkman the situation at MGH had prompted increased speculation locally that the hospital may be even further downgraded.
Speaking this week to Patricia Messinger on her C103 Cork Today show, Deputy Sherlock said it was his understanding that up to 100 staff at MGH had tested positive for the Coronavirus.
While Deputy Sherlock was fulsome in his praise for staff at the hospital for their work in helping to tackle COVID-19, he said it was vitally important people know why so many of them had been sent home from work.
“This is a massive amount of staff. It has gotten to the point where key services at MGH had to be reduced. When you ask the HSE why this is they just use that term infection control,” said Deputy Sherlock.
“Last week I was quite concerned because I was hearing reports that services had been reduced to such an extent that the future viability of the hospital was coming into question. I was wondering if that was part of a strategy to completely reduce services altogether.”
Deputy Sherlock did say it was important to point out that he had been given firm reassurances by both HSE chief Paul Reid and the head of the South/South West Hospitals Group that Mallow General would not be downgraded or closed.
In fact, he has been told that a budget has been allocated for upgrading the out-patients department and some of the wards at the hospital.
“This is welcome news. However, the clear focus now must be on ensuring that MGH goes back to its original service levels once the COVID-19 crisis is over.”
Asked if he knew how many patients with the Coronavirus were currently being treated in the 50-bed hospital, Deputy Sherlock said the number varies between six and eight “depending on who you are talking to.”
Ms Messinger pointed out that people would be “shocked” to hear about the number of staff at the MGH affected by the coronavirus, asking how the hospital became so exposed to the virus.
“I have asked that very question of the HSE and when doing an analysis afterwards in respect of nursing homes and acute hospitals such as MGH this is a question that will need to be answered for future reference,” said Deputy Sherlock.
He said answers were needed to other key questions such as were staff given the necessary PPE and were the correct protocols adhered to in relation to the movement of patients and intra-hospital transfers.
“However, at this juncture what we need is to ensure all staff are safe, in recovery and for their safe transition for them back onto the wards and into the offices,” said Deputy Sherlock.
He said that while there is as yet no definitive date for when full services would be resumed at the MGH, having spoken to healthcare bosses he was now “confident” it would happen at the appropriate time.
“My key concern was that all the key services will be restored and I have been given a guarantee they will. It is now my job to follow up on that commitment while keeping staff in mind. Ensuring they come back to work at the appropriate time is of paramount importance.”
The Corkman contacted representatives for Mallow General Hospital for a statement on the current situation at the North Cork facility but none was forthcoming at the time of going to press.