St Patrick’s Hospital has correct staff/patient ratio - HSE

The HSE has insisted that St Patrick’s Community Hospital “continues to operate within the recommended staff patient ratio as per national guidelines”.

In a statement issued to the Leitrim Observer following concerns raised by Cllr Francis Gilmartin at the November Council meeting, the HSE acknowledged that St Patrick’s is now an 85 bedded Community Hospital having reduced from 95 in June 2012.

“The Hospital like all other Health facilities has been affected by the Public Service Moratorium in that recruitment of staff is not permitted. Recognising that the hospital has experienced a number of retirements, it continues to operate within the recommended staff patient ratio as per national guidelines,” noted the statement.

“St Patrick’s Hospital continues to provide a high quality service for the people of South Leitrim which is independently inspected by HIQA to ensure that the hospital complies with the Health Standards as per the Health Act 2007.”

The statement added that the Hospital Management monitors the care it provides on an ongoing basis and “will continue to address care delivery, skillmix and rostering arrangements in order that the identified service need is met”.

t stressed there had been “close consultation with the local management of the hospital, staff and unions regarding a number of proposals and these will form part of ongoing discussion at the end of 2012 and into 2013”.