Terminally ill patients have been turned away from Waterford Palliative Care Centre as a result of a staffing crisis.
A memo which was distributed to staff at the centre this week revealed that the centre can only accept referrals for 'actively dying' patients.
"Due to a staffing crisis in Waterford Community Palliative Care Care service, we can only accept referrals for actively dying patients. We apologise for this change in our service and will be in contact as soon as this crisis is averted."
A report in today's Irish Daily Mail outlines that the HSE have noted a 'temporary reduction' in specialist nursing staff over the past nine days - and people have been turned away on account of 'unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances'.
A spokesperson for the HSE told the Mail that it is anticipated that services within the Waterford Palliative Care Centre will return to 'normal levels' next week.
"In the interim, access to the service will be provided based on clinical need. All available supports and services are and will continue to be offered to patients and their families. SECH regrets that this temporary reduction in service occurred."
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