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€6m for Inishowen community
hospitals
27.01.16
DONEGAL TDs have
welcomed a multi-million funding boost for community
hospitals including Buncrana and Carn.
However, they have highlighted concerns over the
potential closure of nursing units in Lifford,
Ramelton and Stranorlar.
Almost €30m has been allocated to Donegal public
nursing homes as part of the Capital Plan 2016 -
2022.
Buncrana Community Nursing Unit is to get €2.97m;
Carndonagh Community Hospital €2.6m; Killybegs,
€440,000; Falcarragh Community Hospital, €2.82m;
Dungloe Community Hospital, €2.61m and Ballyshanon,
€17.4m. |
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Carndonagh Community Hospital |
Fianna Fáil TD Charlie
McConalogue said: "While I welcome the money
allocated under the Health Capital Plan for services
in Carndonagh, Buncrana and Letterkenny, I am
seriously concerned about the future for the
community hospitals in Stranorlar, Lifford and
Ramelton.
"The plan, published by Minister Kathleen Lynch,
states that these hospitals will be 'replaced' by
Letterkenny and no additional funding has been
allocated to them.
"Does this mean that residents will be transferred
out of their own communities and forced to take a
bed in a facility in Letterkenny?" he asked.
Meanwhile, Independent deputy, Thomas Pringle said:
"The population of over 65s is expected to double in
less than 30 years which means closing smaller units
now will only leave us with the same capacity issues
in the future.
"This would essentially mean the Government is
centralising nursing home care by closing down
satellite centres to make way for a bigger one in an
urban area.
"Too many questions need answering before this
Government can begin to address the current crisis
in our public nursing home bed stock," he said. |
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