Health board denies move to close HIV ward

THE
Health Service Executive (HSE) has denied that it is considering a proposal to
shut down Ireland’s only ward specifically dedicated to treating HIV patients.

Patients
and staff at Cherry Orchard Hospital have expressed alarm over clams that the
HSE is considering closing down the Rowan ward because of cutbacks.

The
ward consists of 18 beds and there are 12 nurses and two nursing managers
working in the unit.

There
are four long-term patients being cared for in the ward and the rest of the
beds are used by patients who avail of respite services at the unit.

A
source at the hospital claimed that staff had been informed by the HSE that the
executive is currently considering a proposal to close the ward.

She
said the operation of the ward is currently under review but staff understand
that the HSE is determined to close the unit in an attempt to save money.

In
addition, a number of sources at the hospital have separately confirmed that
HSE officials have warned nursing staff not to speak to the media about the
situation.

One
Southside patient, who is HIV positive, said she was deeply concerned that
patients being treated there would lose the expertise of the nursing staff who
specialise in the treatment of the virus, if the unit is closed.

“I
would be devastated if they closed this ward,

? she said.

“I have had HIV for 16
years. At times you get tired; you are living with HIV a long time and you are
rearing your children as well. In this place they are all fully qualified
staff. We are not speaking about volunteers.

“All
the nursing staff are highly qualified and they will explain anything we want
to know. In this ward there are high dependency HIV patients that have never
been taken outside the door.

“If
the ward was closed we don’t know where we would go. We don’t know what is
going to happen to us or the nursing staff. Those nurses look after those
patients like no one could or would.

?

Another
source at the hospital spoke of the concern among patients and staff about the
proposal to close the ward.

She
said:

“There is a lot of upset with patients. There would be upset among nurses
too. A lot of work has gone into these clients. This ward has been a lifeline
for the patients. We just don’t know at this point in time if the ward will be
closed but it is being talked about. There is disquiet and upset, especially
among patients at the loss of it. This is going to be a big loss to the client
group.

?

James
O’Connor is the Regional Development Officer at Open Heart House, which is a
project that challenges the social stigma and associated isolation of living
with HIV through peer support.

He
has called on the HSE to scrap any plans it has to close the ward, which he
said was an important haven for those suffering from AIDs and HIV.

“This
respite service helps people get away from the stresses in their lives,

? he
said.

“It is important that in this economic environment that all services are
reviewed but reviewed with a view to making them more focused for the patient
rather than shutting them down.

?

Cllr
Louise Minihan (Eirigi) called on the HSE to make a statement clarifying their
intentions on the matter.

“I
demand that the HSE make their intentions for the Rowan ward clear,

? she said.

“Any attempt at letting much needed nursing staff go or any attempt to close
this vital ward will be met with fierce resistance from the community.

?

A
spokeswoman for the HSE said:

“There is no decision to close the Rowan Ward.

?