Elderly patient wins battle for TV set at Mayo step-down hospital facility
TVs have been installed in St John’s Ward in the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar and a rollout of WiFi access for all patients in acute hospitals is also in progress.
That's according to Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group, who added that visiting in the ward ‘is currently by appointment’ only.
The issue was raised by Health Forum West member, Councillor Martin McLoughlin.
He explained: “I raised this issue due to concerns for a patient who was transferred trom hospital for step-down to St John’s Ward in the Sacred Heart Hospital.
“This 80-year-old woman came from a warm setting in hospital in Castlebar to a ward that, she said, was very cold and uncomfortable.
“Her experience there was anything but satisfactory - no TV, no WiFi, visitors by appointment and at the window only, at that time a few weeks ago.
“The family said they didn’t mind if there was no TV as they would provide one themselves, but were told in no circumstances to bring one in because of covid rules.
“The issue of there being no WiFi in this ward was first brought up two years ago at this forum. I rang the Sacred Heart Hospital on this patient’s behalf.
“She was really cut off from the world, but they said, no TV. I told them they accepted her laptop with her when she was admitted and that her family would get a new TV in a box. The reply was, no, that could be a fire hazard.
“So, I am extremely disappointed overall. I was told this patient would then be transferred to Ballina where there would be a TV and visitors allowed.
“But a consultant came along and said whatever you were told is wrong, because this patient is not suitable for Ballina.
“For someone of her age to be treated like this is wrong. Her family are paying €1,050 from their VHI for this service.
"But all this woman was basically getting was a roof over her head. It was a very unsatisfactory experience for this patient and her family.”
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta group, stated: “There is WiFi available and we are currently progressing so that patients can get access as part of a national rollout of WiFi access for all patients in acute hospitals. TVs have been installed in St John’s Ward and further TVs are ordered and we are progressing this. The national guidance in relation to access for visitors at acute hospitals is being implemented across all Saolta hospitals including St John’s Ward. Visiting is currently by appointment.”
St. Jonn’s Ward is run by Mayo University Hospital under the Saolta group as an expansion of the hospital. At full capacity there are 40 spaces in that ward and, according to Councillor McLoughlin, it is performing a really important function right now.