The accident and emergency entrance to the South West Acute Hospital
THE DIRECTOR of Acute Services has issued a stark warning about local health care claiming hospitals here are “not safe”.
Geraldine McKay made the shocking remarks at a Western Health Trust board meeting at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) last Thursday during discussions about the ongoing health cuts.
The head of acute services – which oversees emergency care, surgery and diagnosis – at the SWAH stated there is “more risk” to people at hospital.
In the lead up to her comments, the trust’s deputy chief executive, Joe Lusby stated that the looming health care cuts would not compromise safety.
However, Mrs McKay responded: “They (hospitals) are not a safe place to be and it’s not a place where people want to be.
“Where is the safest place to be – (because) hospitals are not a safe place. There’s more risk to people here and if 20 people fall over, will this hospital be a safe place to be?”
Mrs McKay was told that care would be made available and that the hospital “would have to balance that risk”.
Mr Lusby told the board meeting that the £8m deficit will be difficult and the coming years will be challenging but that resources would be there to deal with the impact.
“Times are difficult and we are relying on professionalism but we will find out the true leaders in times of difficulty,” he added.
“Leaders will come to the fore and we are showing leadership through our existence.
“We are trying our out most to minimise the impact on the cuts and we will not let it impact so much that it demoralises staff.
“This is an area we need to keep a particular focus and continue with the high quality of care, it is likely we may see a drop but this will not compromise safety.
“It’s our job that we will tell the story and get our fair share of the resources so we can do the best for the patients and clients we serve.”
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