Patsy McGlone 15th October 2009

MCGLONE: PATIENTS LIVES WILL BE PUT AT RISK BY BED SHORTAGE

SDLP Mid-Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said lives will be put at risk by the closure of ten beds in a ward at the Mid-Ulster hospital from Monday October 19.

Mr McGlone said: “Staff at the Mid-Ulster Hospital have raised serious concerns at the Northern Trust’s intention to close ten beds on Ward One at the hospital. Workers at the hospital have not been consulted about this closure and have been given just a few days notice to prepare for a move to Antrim Area Hospital.

“This is totally unacceptable and will have serious repercussions for the A&E department at the Mid-Ulster Hospital as there will be no beds available for patients who require overnight admission.

“Given that three patients were diverted from Antrim in the early hours of Tuesday morning by ambulance to Ward One at the Mid-Ulster due to a lack of beds elsewhere in the Trust, it just doesn’t make any sense to axe these beds from the hospital.

“Hospital staff and the people of Mid-Ulster do not deserve to be kept in the dark about the future of their hospital for any longer.

“This worrying development will inevitably put lives at risk and I will be raising this with the Health Minister today.”
 

ENDS