Crazy Decision to Close Children Beds  as Waiting Lists Get Longer

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has described the closure of 22 paediatric beds in Tallaght Hospital against a backdrop of growing waiting lists as “irrationall and a crazy decision.” Crowe said he raised the issue with Minister Varadkar at a Committee meeting but the Minister didn’t reply to his concerns.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“The closure of  22 paediatric beds in Tallaght Hospital against a backdrop of growing waiting lists is irrational, illogical and an absolute crazy decision. The number of beds to permanently close amounts to one third of the National Children’s Hospital Tallaght inpatient capacity and runs entirely countrary to the fact that children’s surgery waiting lists continue to grow right across Dublin.

“There are currently 117 children waiting for day case surgery in Tallaght Hospital, while 1,361 children wait for access for life changing operations in Temple St Hospital and Our Lady’s Hospital in Crumlin.

“I raised the bed closure directly with Health Minister Varadkar at a committee meeting Thursday this week but he ignored my concerns.

“They are closing paediatric beds in Tallaght while 172 children are stuck in a lengthening queue, awaiting inpatient treatment.

“It is my understanding that these beds will permanently close in the near future and certainly long before the opening of the new National Children’s Hospital that is is to be located be in the grounds of St James’ Hospital. This will occur despite assurances previously given, that no
services for children would be closed until the yet to be built hospital came on stream.

“I have been informed that this is a decision of the Executive Management Team at Tallaght Hospital and I want to know why?

“I understand that these 22 beds had not been in use for over a year, but that the possibility to use them again was always an option.

“The beds will now cater for adult patient needs.

“I am calling on the Minister, the HSE and the Children’s Hospital Group to outline the rationale behind this and if they stand behind it

“The closure of  22 paediatric beds in Tallaght Hospital against a backdrop of growing waiting lists is bonkers, an  illogical  decision and needs to be overturned.”