Call for Beaumont funding pledge to be honoured

A NORTHSIDE public representative has called for new Health Minister Simon Harris to honour a pledge for Beaumont Hospital funding.    

Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Lab) said that after a series of meetings with the board and chief executive of Beaumont Hospital, former Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin gave a “solemn commitment” to invest €45 million in the upgrade of the Emergency Department (ED). 

“The upgrades are essential to ease pressure on the ED which in spite of its best efforts, is virtually at breaking point,” he said. 

“Beaumont is Ireland’s second largest hospital. Its 24-hour ED caters for an increasingly ageing population of over 65-year-olds in North East Dublin City. 

“Though the hospital and staff work tirelessly to ensure that patients do not end up on trolleys, overcrowding and underfunding are compounding the problem. 

“On May 17 there were 23 people on trolleys in the hospital (Trolley Watch). The hospital has in the recent past issued appeals asking people not to attend the A&E unless absolutely essential, but to consult with their GP.”

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said the 2016 Programme for Government contains a commitment for continued capital investment in Emergency Departments, which includes the design of a new ED at Beaumont Hospital. 

“It is anticipated that the design phase for this project will commence later this year with a view to funding for construction being provided as part of the 2017 Capital Plan review,” she said. 

“The department will engage with the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the development of this important project.”

Meanwhile, Senator Ó Ríordáin is encouraging anybody who wants to get involved in the campaign to secure funding for an upgrade of the Emergency Department at Beaumont Hospital to visit www.facebook.com/labourdublinbaynorth or contact his office directly.