The HSE has confirmed some physiotherapy services may return to St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar.
There were fears earlier this year that the HSE was attempting to reduce services at the community hospital as physiotherapy services were withdrawn and relocated to Lifford and Donegal Town.
It was part of a temporary measure in light of recommendations contained in a HIQA report to carry out fire safety improvement works.
Fr Lorcan Sharkey, Vice Chair Save Our St Joseph’s Hospital Committee told the Nine til Noon Show that assurances were given at a meeting over the weekend to return a number of services to a premises close to the facility:
HSE Response:
Physiotherapy Services St Joseph’s Hospital, Stranorlar
The HSE wish to confirm that they met with representatives from the “Save our St. Joseph’s Hospital Committee” on 13th March.
The HSE wish to reiterate that following an inspection undertaken by HIQA essential fire upgrade works were identified that needed to be completed within a specified timeframe to ensure that HIQA requirements are met and St Joseph’s Hospital remains fully operational.
In order to complete these works there was a requirement for patients to be relocated within the hospital and the most suitable area identified was the Primary Care Physiotherapy Department (formerly known as Drogheda Ward). This ensures that existing patients in the hospital are catered for and will not be disturbed by the works. In addition it ensures that bed numbers can be retained to facilitate short-stay admissions from the acute sector and to ensure that the continuity of hospital discharges and patient flow from Letterkenny University Hospital are maintained.
Going forward, the inpatient Primary Care Physiotherapy Service will continue to be provided to the residents of the St Joseph’s Hospital at the bedside as historically has been the practice. The Physiotherapy Department also provided an outpatient service to the community. Because of the urgent need for clinically safe accommodation required to deliver this service Outpatient Primary Care Physiotherapy Service have temporarily had to relocate to the Donegal Town Community Hospital and to Lifford Community Hospital Outpatients area.
The services have communicated with affected service users advising on which centre to attend for appointment and notified all other stakeholders of the relocation. The HSE would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result these upgrade works.
The HSE wish to confirm that as part of its overall service delivery plan and in the best interests for service users in the longer term, Primary Care Services including Physiotherapy Services will be provided from the Finn Valley area in accordance with patient’s needs.
Therefore, work is ongoing to secure suitable appropriate accommodation in the Finn Valley area to enable Outpatient Primary Care Physiotherapy Services to be restored to the local area as soon as possible. The HSE is looking at a plan to locate all Primary Care Services in one building i.e. Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy. This accommodation will enable Primary Care to deliver the additional services under the Enhanced Community Care Programme (Slaintecare), and will support the staff in the East Network Primary Care Team, enabling this team to work in a cohesive and integrated way with their colleagues.
The HSE is committed to provisions of excellent services for older persons in Finn Valley area. As part of their plan they are working to ensure that residential, dementia and respite care beds are available through the continued refurbishment of St Joseph’s Hospital. Thereby ensuring it meets HIQA requirements. St Josephs also has a vital role in providing step down beds for Letterkenny University Hospital. The HSE wish to ensure St Joseph’s remains as a flagship community Hospital.
The HSE will continue to liaise with all relevant stakeholders.
