Staff shortages leads to closures

AN ongoing staff shortage and complete lack of contingency planning is resulting in regular last minute closures of Health Centres in Collooney and Carrigans, Maugherow.

The Health centres assists with personal hygiene, give its users nutritious meals and allows those who avail of the service an opportunity to socialise.

Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Healy has been contacted by a number of distressed families about the unacceptable nature of the service provided. “Large numbers of elderly vulnerable citizens attend the Health Centres typically three days a week.” explained Cllr Healy.

“Imagine what it is like for these people to receive phone calls last minute telling them that the Centre is closed for the day. Recently in the Carrigans Centre elderly people were looking forward to a special Bealtaine Event only for it all to be cancelled again at the last minute. This is unfair and disempowering to people who are often already vulnerable.”

The HSE says Carrigans Day Centre operates three days per week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, providing a day service to elderly people in the North Sligo area.

However, the HSE told the Sligo Champion that due to unforeseen circumstances the centre had to close last week and on Monday 8th last.

The HSE added that all clients were notified of the temporary closure. It also says it wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused to clients and confirmed that the Centre reopened on Wednesday May 10.

Cllr Healy said that lack of contingency planning to cover staff by the HSE has resulted in the frequent closure of the centres.

“I have spoken with senior HSE management in relation to this issue. There are only two people working in each Centre. As a result when one staff member is off due to annual leave, mandatory training or illness then the entire Centre is forced to close.

“Surely within the entire HSE staffing structure this human resources issue can be dealt with immediately and our elderly citizens can be allowed to benefit from the service that they are entitled to.”