Petition to fully reopen hospital in north Mayo
By Brian Bakeberg, president, Erris Chamber of Commerce
AS president of the Erris Chamber of Commerce, I've watched our community's lifeline Belmullet Community Hospital dwindle since the 2020 Health Information and Quality Authority - an independent statutory body established under the Health Act 2007 - inspection slashed beds from 20 to just 12 (mostly stepdown/palliative), stripping away X rays, physiotherapy, direct GP admissions, and respite care.
This remote peninsula, home to around 10,000 people, with a high elderly population, now faces 100km ambulance transfers to Mayo University Hospital over treacherous roads. The result? A healthcare crisis that's cost lives and threatens our economic future.
A DEATH TOO FAR
On January 11, 2026, 68-year-old Stephen Lavelle collapsed at home in Erris. His family made repeated 999 calls, but no ambulance came.
Desperate, they drove him 56km themselves to Castlebar, where he later died.
This heart-breaking case, raised in the Dáil by TDs, shines a spotlight on chronic ambulance shortages, handover delays at MUH, redeployed crews, and understaffed local bases, leaving patients waiting hours.
It's not isolated: a December 2025 critically injured person endured similar delays, and a 95-year-old was rerouted unnecessarily.
TDs like Rose Conway-Walsh call it a "severe crisis" and "death by a thousand cuts", but how many more before action?
National studies back the urgency: rural ER closures spike mortality rates nearby by 4 - 10%, per U.S. and global data. ESRI forecasts Ireland needs 5,000 - 7,800 more acute beds by 2040 to meet demand.
Erris can't wait - families are exhausted, carers overwhelmed, and home help slashed.
ECONOMIC DEVASTATION
Reliable healthcare anchors families and workforce stability. Without it, young professionals leave, depopulating our peninsula and gutting local businesses from shops to tourism.
The Chamber sees this daily: employees missing work for elderly relatives' crises, families relocating for care.
Sláintecare promised rural equity and 4,000 plus new beds; a HSE approved modular 12-bed unit sits pending since 2025. Why the delay?
TIME FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
HIQA's risk-based cuts linger without fixes, despite audits. HSE claims capacity suffices - tell that to the Lavelles.
As Chamber President, I call on HSE CHO Area 2, the Minister for Health, and TDs:
* Restore 20 beds immediately and fill vacancies.
* Approve the modular unit and build an Erris paramedic base.
* End Covid era barriers to GP admissions.
Join our petition for 2,000 signatures: 'Reopen for Lives & Livelihoods'. Email hospital@errischamber.ie to rally.
Erris deserves better. Our economy and elders depend on it.