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More cuts to front line services in Loughlinstown Hospital

Sinn Féin representatives from Dún Laoghaire and Bray have today revealed that Accident and Emergency Services at Loughlinstown Hospital are to be drastically cut. It is understood that from June the hospital will no longer take in admissions between the hours of 8pm and 8am. Ballybrack & Loughlinstown local election candidate Eoin Ó Broin and Bray councillor John Brady described it as "another hammer blow" to hospital services in the area.

The two also learned that massive amounts of money are being used by the hospital to ferry patients from the hospital to private facilities for scans.

Mr. Ó Broin said, “Only a couple of weeks ago it was revealed that St Brigids Ward was being closed down with the loss of 24 beds. At the time Sinn Féin predicted that this was part of a wider plan by the Government and the HSE to completely downgrade if not close Loughlinstown Hospital.

“Today’s revelation that Accident and Emergency Services are to be halved from June on unfortunately makes that prediction a reality.

“This Fianna Fáil / Green Party Government seems hell-bent on denying the people of this part of South County Dublin and North Wicklow the right to decent healthcare. This move is criminally negligent and must be resisted."

Cllr Brady said, “To make matters worse I have also learned that tens of thousands of euro are being pumped in to the private healthcare system from Loughlinstown Hospital for scans which should be carried out at the hospital. I have been told that patients from Loughlinstown are being ferried to the Beacon Medical Centre in Sandyford by emergency ambulances. This is clear evidence of the Governments attempts to further privatise healthcare.

"We are calling on all people who want to see full services retained at Loughlinstown Hospital to join a protest in support St Colmchilles on Tuesday evening (May 26th) between 5.30 and 6.30pm. The Government and the HSE cannot be allowed away with this.”