Breakthrough in Nurses Dispute at St. Columcille's Hospital Loughlinstown

Deputy Liz McManus has welcomed the breakthrough in the nurses' industrial dispute at St. Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown. "The news that the ban on out of hours cover has been lifted on an interim by the nurses is a great relief", said Deputy Liz McManus. "I warmly welcome the agreement arrived at between the HSEA and the Irish Nurses Organisation to establish a process which includes the appointment of an independent chairman with the power of recommendation.

"This offers the best hope possible for a resolution of this longstanding dispute. The first step in the industrial dispute was taken last February. Sadly it has taken until now for a breakthrough. For the last days the Accident & Emergency Department at St. Columcille's Hospital was closed to ambulances. I must pay tribute to the nurses and staff who suspended their action to assist at a recent most tragic traffic accident.

"It is reassuring to know that the hospital can now provide out of

Deputy Liz McManus

hours cover of operating theatre nurses. "This experience has raised important issues that I believe must be addressed by the Health Board and by the Government. It is time that a complete re-evaluation of the role of St. Columcille's Hospital be completed with a view of building a new Regional Hospital on the site to serve County Wicklow and South Dublin.

"We know there is a chronic shortage of acute hospital beds in the Dublin region. St Columcille's is based in one of the fastest growing parts of the country where the road network is being greatly upgraded. It is also clear that since the amalgamation of St. Michael's Hospital in Dun Laoghaire with St. Vincent's Hospital, there is no hospital between Merrion in Dublin and Wexford Hospital with the exception of St. Columcille's.

"Many people in County Wicklow have to travel long distances to get to hospital even when they have an emergency. We must ensure that when they get to hospital it is to a modern, high quality, well-resourced facility.

"The staff at St. Columcille's Hospital do an excellent job but the time has come to ensure that the hospital itself is designed to meet the needs of the community. Locating a new 300-bed Regional Hospital at St. Columcille's is both feasible and practical. It is vital that planning begin to reach that goal", concluded Deputy McManus.