Visitors to Wexford General ‘must walk almost 1 km to ward’

VISITORS to Wexford General Hospital face a 1km walk to access many of the wards due to the closure of the old hospital entrance during construction work.

Councillor Mary Farrell, who has been calling for the reopening of the old entrance over the last 18 months, said that the situation is causing ‘great hardship’ for elderly people visiting relatives in the hospital. She said she was informed by hospital staff that the distance from the main entrance to the wards is almost 1 km.

‘I have seen with my own eyes people who have to stop and catch their breath,’ she said. ‘ The hospital needs to be patient and visitor friendly. A young person is more than capable of doing the journey but it is not so easy if you are elderly and may have mobility issues.’

Cllr Farrell has brought the topic to the Wexford County Council meetings on numerous occasions. Responding to a letter on the issue from County Secretary Pat Collins, General Manager of Wexford General Lily Byrnes said that the entrance will not be open until refurbishment work is complete.

‘I don’t accept the response,’ said Cllr Farrell. ‘County Secretary Pat Collins and I asked to meet the Hospital Manager which has been refused. They are now telling us that the entrance can’t be reopened due to health and safety issues.’

‘I am aware that there may be a security issue but I don’t think there is a health and safety one. If security personnel are on duty, I can’t see why they can’t just be split and put on each door.’

The letter from Ms Byrnes to the County Secretary went on to say that they have additional wheelchairs, meet and greet staff and supports in place and plan to add extra corridor seating. However, Cllr Farrell said that there is not a sufficient number of meet and greet staff, adding that an older person may not necessarily be able to push a wheelchair.