HSE IN BID TO CHANGE THE NAME OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES HOSPITAL
Political uproar as the fight begins to retain Our Lady of Lourdes title
A PROPOSAL by management at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital to change the name of the famed Drogheda establishment has sparked great debate, with many feeling that it’s an attempt to ‘wipe out’ the history of those responsible for setting it up in the first place.
Political figures have blasted the idea, with online petitions set up to block the move and Mayor Frank Godfrey even feeling that a protest at the gates may be called for.
‘ The Lourdes Hospital is a fundamental part of our identity as Droghedeans. We have an affection for it and the hospital is an integral part of our social history,’ Senator Ged Nash added. He too is against any change.
But with the ongoing link up with the Royal College of Surgeons, the management feel it’s time to ‘promote’ the growing hospital and give it a new reputation for outstanding care. They are proposing three names - University Hospital Drogheda, Drogheda Regional Hospital or Drogheda General Hospital. It is planned to change the name by March 2019.
Mayor Frank Godfrey said the hospital name was synonymous with Drogheda and he would arrange a protest about the name change.
‘It is a cost factor too and not the time when we have staff shortages and long waiting lists. There are more pressing issues than changing the name of the hospital. The people of the town need to be consulted. This shows a lack of respect for them.’
St Peter’s Parish has also expressed concern about the move, saying they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the plan. The weekly newsletter added, ‘ we are proud of the great tradition that the Medical Missionaries of Mary Sisters have built under the protection of Our Lady of Lourdes. We hope common sense will prevail.’
Senator Nash feels the ‘Catholic ethos’ of the hospital ended in 1997 when it was transferred from the MMMs.
‘I strongly believe in a pluralist, secular and tolerant Republic that respects the rights of all citizens equally. The Roman Catholic Church or indeed any other religion for that matter has no place in the bedroom, in the classroom or in the medical room.
‘ The name ‘Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital’ does not offend me and I wholeheartedly support the retention of our hospital’s name. It has a special place in the hearts of those of us who are lucky enough to be from Drogheda.’
He asks will we rename Wellington Quay, named after the Duke of Wellington. ‘We could do the same with Duke Street. We could hand back the Williamite Mace because we have an objection to the occupation of Ireland. We don’t do any of this because we respect and seek to understand our history in all its diversity.’
He will be raising the issue in the Seanad this week.
Independent Councillor Kevin Callan said the lack of public consultation is ‘unacceptable’. The Councillor is calling for the HSE to not show such disrespect to the founders of the hospital and to leave well enough alone.
‘I was born in the Lourdes Hospital like everyone in Drogheda who wasn’t born in the Cottage and it has always been Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital,’ he stated. ‘ The attempt by management to rename the hospital is not going to fix anything and is seeking to cleanse the hospital of its past and those who established it. This is not a hotel or business that can rebrand, management should be focusing on the service and not changing the name.’
Councillor Paul Bell confirmed that he has formally written to Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D. calling on him to halt the decision to change the name of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on the grounds that the Hospital is synonymous with the identity of Drogheda.
“I must admit when I heard of the HSE’s intention I actually checked the calendar to confirm that it wasn’t April fool’s day. For me the name of the hospital should stay as is. If there is a need to amend the name by adding on its regional or University status then so be it. Remember, Our Lady of Lourdes has also had the title International Missionary Training Hospital attached to its name once upon a time.’
FF local election candidate Anthony Moore does not want the name to change. ‘ The name of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is synonymous with Drogheda - let’s keep it that way. One would think that the HSE would be more interested in addressing what we all know are the key issues in the hospital: patients left languishing on trolleys in the Emergency Department, the low morale of the over-worked and underpaid staff, and the need to ensure the highest standards of patient care.’
He said the proposal is nothing less than an ‘insult’ to the people of Drogheda and to Mother Mary Martin, the foundress of the Medical Missionaries of Mary, who set up the hospital .
‘Re-naming the hospital will also cost a significant amount of money, at a time when the HSE just last month pulled the plug on a second X-ray room in the hospital’s Emergency Department.
I’m asking the people of Drogheda to sign a facebook petition I’ve organised to stop this and also to contact the HSE.’
Local Fianna Fáil candidate James Byrne believes that there is no good reason for the HSE to change the name of the Lourdes Hospital.
‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ is an iconic name and a real symbol of Drogheda,’ he stated.
Jimmy Nash, who is organising the erection of a statue of Mother Mary Martin, said the people of Drogheda helped pay for Our Lady of Lourdes and deserved to have their say too.