The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU have called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to halt plans to repurpose a long-awaited community nursing unit in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Union members in St Conlon’s Community Nursing Unit (CNU) have expressed concerns at reports that a new building that was to cater for residents may instead be used as a step-down facility for University Hospital Limerick (UHL) patients.
The INMO and SIPTU also expressed their disappointment at reports that the publicly-funded building would be used by a private operator.
“The INMO cannot stand over the further outsourcing of a public health service,” said INMO official Karen Liston.
“The residents of St Conlon’s and the wider Nenagh community were promised a publicly funded and run service for care of older people. It is not acceptable for the HSE to change their minds at the last minute,” Ms Liston said.
SIPTU said reports that the newly built facility will not be used for its original purpose were of grave concern to St Conlon’s staff, residents and the wider community.
“The idea that a private company will provide services out of a state-of-the-art building, which has been built using significant state funding, is extraordinary,” said SIPTU Organiser Mark Quinn.
“We have made our intention clear that we will use all options available to us as a union to secure the best possible outcome for the staff of St Conlon’s, the residents that depend on its services and the broader community of Nenagh,” Mr Quinn said.
In a statement, the HSE said it will progress plans for the long-term use of the new community nursing unit, including the recruitment for 2025 of the staff needed to run this50-bed facility.
“The HSE is also aware of the significant pressures at UHL which serves Nenagh. A decision has been made to utilise the new building for a period of about one year as a step down sub-acute facility which will be run by a private provider with expertise in such services. Tendering has commenced,” the HSE said.
“This interim use will greatly support the region pending the completion of the first of two new 96 bed blocks for UHL scheduled to be completed in early 2025.”
“The current community nursing unit at St Conlon’s will continue during this period. The HSE has every intention of then moving to the long-term use of the new CNU to replace St Conlon’s,” the HSE added.
