CUTS TO AGENCY NURSING STAFF AT CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT’S RECKLESS APPROACH TO HEALTH SERVICE – SINN FEIN

CUTS TO AGENCY NURSING STAFF AT CORK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IS EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENT’S RECKLESS APPROACH TO HEALTH SERVICE – SINN FEIN The cuts to agency nursing staff at Cork University hospital is a true reflection of the government’s failure to deliver on health for the people of Cork. Speaking last night, following a meeting of SinnFein’s team on Cork City Council, Cllr. Fiona Kerins said: “We agree with the perspective that the unions have taken. It is worrying that the government see the job of managing and reforming the health service as purely an accounting concern. Of course you have to develop financially robust models for ensuring the long-term viability of our health service. But when these savings are being made at the cost of diluting resources at the point of care then surely the government is developing a false economy within the health service. It is extremely reckless on their part.” “It is an issue of objectives. And when a spotlight is shone firmly on these decisions then the government’s objectives are called into question and rather sharply. If they want a health-service that looks good on paper and has a managerialist orientation then they are certainly going the right way about it. If however the aim is to provide first-class quality of care in places where it is most needed, in the wards and A&E’s, then I think the government’s approach is being cloaked in buzzwords and soundbites.” Cllr. Kernis continued by saying that the cuts represented a second attack to health services in Cork in as many weeks: “It isn’t really surprising. It is simply a continuation of the government’s austerity agenda. Developing sensible, citizen-centred strategies around social infrastructure seems to be a way down their list of priorities. Sadly, this is the second attack on local health services in two weeks. The closure of the A&E in the South Infirmary will prove to be a misguided decision for government and a disastrous one for people on the Southside.” ENDS