People Before Profit candidates in the local elections have exposed major cuts which are to be implemented at Crumlin Childrens hospital.
Councillor Joan Collins and Brid Smith participated in a very successful picket at the hospital on May 12th organised by Save our Crumlin Children’s Hospital Campaign.
Watch TV3 News report here
Because of a forecasted deficit of €9.6 million, three wards will shut down this year, starting with St Joseph ’s due to close on May 14th with two more to close in July and August.
Cllr Joan Collins (People Before Profit Alliance- Crumlin/Walkinstown)
Other cuts include
• Over 7,000 fewer in-patient bed days at the hospital this year. Theatres will also close and there will also be a 15 per cent reduction in day case activity along with a 15 per cent reduction in outpatient activity.
• Two “play” specialists will be lost on May 14th. These specialists are crucially important for many children.
• It is expected that the contracts of 17 household workers will not be renewed in May. There will be cuts in agency staffing and in staff holding temporary contracts, and also in overtime and on-call payments.
Ballyfermot PBPA Brid Smith & Cllr Joan Collins
This means that the State’s largest children’s hospital will not be open for our children this summer. Operations will be cancelled. If a child breaks an arm/leg what will happen?
This is a step too far – our wages have been cut and a lot of us are losing jobs but when our children’s health and lives are put at risk we have to take action and take it now.
People Before profit will continue to campaign against cuts in public services like health. We will support the Save our Crumlin Children’s Hospital Campaign in mounting a vigorous campaign to maintain and improve services at the hospital.
