Call for clarity on future plans for the Cottage Hospital
A local TD has called for clarity to be provided on future plans for the Cottage Hospital in Drogheda, given recent changes at the facility.
Sinn Féin Deputy Imelda Munster said it is understood that the hospital has come under the remit of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) since its recent deregistration by HIQA.
Deputy Munster said: ‘ There is huge confusion over the current status of the Cottage Hospital. I have been contacted by staff and members of the public who are very concerned about this situation, and they need clarity.
‘ The Cottage Hospital has been operational in Drogheda for over 100 years. In 2012 it was subject to Fine Gael and Labour cuts and the facility changed from operating as a long stay and respite care service to a step down facility. Now it seems that the hospital’s status is to be changed again, and staff and the local community need to know what those changes involve.’
The Deputy said staff need to know what effect these changes will have on their work.
‘At the moment there is no clarity around changes they may be subject to as a result of the new status of the Cottage Hospital. In my opinion this is wholly unfair,’ she said.
‘It is only right that staff working at the hospital are given assurances around their job security. There are concerns that staff may be moved to new facilities, or that their work conditions might be affected by these changes. Staff must be involved in any discussions of this type. At the moment this is not the case.’
She said the situation was also causing worry in the wider community as local people are concerned about the potential for the loss of existing services in Drogheda.