'Mayo Hospital candidate' set to run in local and general elections

Former Castlebar independent and Labour Party town councillor Harry Barrett has announced he will be running as a 'Mayo hospital candidate' in the next local and general elections to highlight the long-running overcrowding crisis at Mayo University Hospital and seek solutions to it.

He confirmed his decision after being informed earlier today that efforts to secure the signatories of five elected members of Mayo County Council to call a special meeting of the authority on the crisis had proved unsuccessful.

It is understood that only two councillors - Michael Kilcoyne and Christy Hyland (both independent) - had signed his petition.

Support from the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil party members was not forthcoming.

Both Councillor Kilcoyne and Councillor Hyland have now agreed to seek a debate on the matter at a statutory meeting of the authority by having it placed formally on the agenda.

While welcoming their support, Mr. Barrett said such a gesture does not reflect the seriousness of the situation.

He said: "Apart from the trolley crisis which continues to set new records at the Castlebar facility, a recent HIQUA inspection reprimanded the emergency department in three key areas and this has to change.

"The suffering cannot be allowed to continue - and this will only be solved politically.

"There is also broad agreement that primary care in the county is at crisis point.

"There are not enough GPs in the county to cover the population after hours.

"The hospital itself does not have the required staffing levels to cover capacity, neither does it have sufficient beds.

"Furthermore the issue of step-down beds in our district hospitals has not progressed in recent times and is causing delays in discharge.

"The pressure on staff, working in this environment, is intolerable and has to be addressed.

"All of these issues could never get the required attention as a single item on a packed council agenda.

"Therefore, I have been left with no alternative but to put my name forward as a hospital candidate in the local and general elections.

"I want a chance to put these issues on the ballot paper and, if elected, I will only support a government that will deliver to Mayo University Hospital.

"I sincerely hope that I can bank on the public's support in this endeavour."

Mr. Barrett said he will also be campaigning on the issues of 'poverty wages' and lack of housing provision.