Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health and Waterford TD, David Cullinane has labelled the turning away of terminally ill patients at a local palliative care centre as 'shocking'.
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."
Speaking to WLR, Deputy Cullinane says it is shocking that a scenario such as this has happened.
"It's shocking. It is terrible. I would imagine that it's having a big impact on the management - but also the staff of the services, and most importantly, the families of those patients who are being turned away. It is absolutely shocking that terminally ill patients could be turned away from a palliative care centre. A new palliative care centre that was opened only a number of years ago. It is really important in terms of providing end-of-life care for patients and all of the supports that are in place for families. For that not to be in place, and for families to be turned away - at this time, is really really shocking."
'Disjointment'
The Sinn Fein TD acknowledged that pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic are still being felt in all corners of the Irish health system. He believes the problem regarding the staff shortage largely comes from sections of the palliative care centre being managed by two seperate entities. Deputy Cullinane says it simply does not make sense.
"Obviously, there are pressures on all hospitals and services. We have a lot of staff who are out with Covid. I would imagine that's part of the problem because it seems they are down to severe staff shortages. It also shows us again that we need to fast-track the proposals to introduce these regional health areas, which will align the community health organisations with the hospital groups. Part of the problem with this building itself is that the wing in the hospital provides for some hospital beds - single isolation beds on the top three floors. The bottom two floors are for palliative care services. The palliative care services are run by the CHO area and the rest of the facilities are managed and run by hospital management. I would imagine that if you had better integrated care, we could transfer staff from the hospital over to palliative care. This would ensure patients aren't turned away, we can better integrate and share resources across all of the services. It doesn't make sense that we have a disjointed service in the same building with different management layers."
HSE intervention
The party spokesperson called upon the HSE to step in as soon as possible and do all they can to remedy the situation.
"We need to make sure that the HSE can step in immediately and provide the staffing requirements which are necessary - including drafting in staff from elsewhere if that's what it takes. I don't believe anybody can stand over a situation where terminally ill patients are turned away from a palliative care centre anywhere in the state. It's very disappointing that it has happened here in Waterford. This affects patients right across the South-East."
He outlined that in previous scenarios such as the crisis being felt in Waterford - the HSE did step in. He believes Waterford is suffering as a result of 'disjointment'.
"This situation is not a reflection - certainly not on staff, equally not on management. The problem is that the services are managed not by the hospital, but by the management of the community health organisation. It would be better if the entire building and all services were managed by the hospital as opposed to the disjointed way that things are done. I don't think that is the problem here - the problem is a staffing shortage. It would seem that it is down to Covid and that's outside the control of management and indeed those staff who have contracted Covid. The HSE does need to step in, and they have done it where we have had chronic staff shortages."
No time to wait
Deputy Cullinane reiterated that 'every stop needs to be pulled out' - and that it is no good for someone to wait around and seek a solution. Action is what is required, and required immediately.
"If staff need to be drafted in - either from the hospital, and it's only on a temporary basis, they are only across the road from this building. It needs to be done on a temporary basis to ensure that the patients get the services that they deserve. Families must be properly supported. It is such a crucial and emotive issue when it comes to palliative care - I know, because my own Mam died in the palliative care centre in Dublin. She received tremendous treatment. It is such an important service for families to have. Every single stop needs to be pulled out. Every option has to be on the table, including drafting staff in to ensure that the services can be resumed as quickly as possible. No one should be sitting around waiting for something to happen. The HSE has to make it happen - and give a guarantee that the services will return as soon as is possible."
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