Fresh concerns raised over future of Mayo hospital

FRESH concerns have been raised over the future of Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.

They were outlined at a public meeting in the county town tonight hosted by general election independent candidate Gerry Loftus.

Addressing the event, local Councillor Michael Kilcoyne, a member of the HSE West Forum, said the facility is in danger of losing its status as a general hospital in the coming years.

He stated the writing is on the wall as a result of a government plan to build a new 1,000-bed hospital at Merlin Park, Galway.

When the facility is up and running, it was only a matter of time before Castlebar is further downgraded with the loss of specialist health services.

He believed general hospital will be retained in Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway - but Mayo will lose out like Roscommon did some years ago.

Councillor Kilcoyne said there is already a serious shortage of nursing staff at Mayo University Hospital while he understood that a number of consultants who are due to retire will not be replaced.

He stated another negative signal is the fact planning permission has not yet been sought for a modular extension to the hospital's accident and emergency department that was promised three years ago.

"I said five years ago that Mayo University Hospital will be little more than a glorified nursing home by 2025. 

"I have witnessed nothing since making that prediction to change my mind," he added.

The public meeting was also addressed by election candidates Senator Rose Conway-Walsh (Sinn Fèin), Grainne De Barra (Independent) and Gerry Loftus, the founder of Ireland's Future.