Labour Youth slams Blanchardstown Hospital Cutbacks

Issued : Wednesday 30 April, 2008

Labour Youth today slammed revelations that Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown is facing massive cutbacks in service provision over the summer.

Labour Youth Spokesperson Patrick Nulty said: "As someone who lives in the Mulhuddart area not far from where the hospital is located I am deeply concerned about this news.

"The fact that bed closures, cancellations of surgery and a freeze on employing student nurses are planned at one of Dublin's main public hospitals in order to stay within budget this year shows quite clearly what a mess Mary Harney is making of our health service.

"The hospital intends to pull services back to 2006 levels. These measures will inevitably have consequences for patient services. This means longer waiting lists for operations, delays in outpatients and also longer waiting times in the accident and emergency department.

"This crisis in funding for Connolly Hospital shows that the present government lacks the 'political will' to tackle our two-tier health service.

"In contrast, Labour Youth will continue to campaign for a health service that is universal and accessible to all on the basis of need, not ability to pay. In a modern progressive society a two tier health service is not acceptable."