'Summer' bed closures still in place at Tullamore hospital

Around 15 beds which the HSE closed because of 'reduced summer demand' at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore are still out of use. In late June, the HSE announced it had amalgamated some services and wards at the hospital in Tullamore, resulting in a net reduction of 15 beds, and also closed beds in sister hospital Mullingar. The statement indicated that the decision to implement the cost-saving measures at these hospitals during the summer months was taken because "on a year on year basis, demand for services reduces over the summer period". However, when asked if these beds have since been put back into use, a HSE spokesperson told the Offaly Independent last week that there has been no change to the position since July. It's not known when or if the beds will be reopened, with the spokesperson simply commenting that: "The HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster will continue to monitor performance against budget and service plan on a month by month basis and make decisions accordingly based on these assessments." By the end of June, the hospital was €2.1m over budget and according to official figures, it was 16% behind its activity levels as provided for in the annual service plan. In late June, the HSE decided to amalgamate all orthopaedic wards with a reduction of four beds, while the ENT and General Surgery Departments were amalgamated a week later, with the loss of 11 beds. "A maximum" of three main theatres and one side theatre were kept open. Any staff taking holidays were not going to be replaced and moves were made to let go some contract nursing staff. The cutbacks are in a bid to save the hospital €7 million by the end of this year.