HSE must pay a fair price to Cobh Community Hospital for Fair Deal beds – O’Keeffe

Staff being asked to accept 7% wage cut to make up for HSE shortfall

Cork East TD, Kevin O’Keeffe TD has said that it is deeply troubling that Cobh Community Hospital are asking staff to take pay cuts of up to 7% as a direct consequence of lower than expected funding from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund.

“It’s clear that the funding being made available to the hospital for the provision of Fair Deal beds is not sufficient. This is forcing the hospital management to ask their staff to take pay cuts yet still perform the same duties.”

“This is totally unfair on the staff who provide excellent services, and the HSE need to review their funding commitments to ensure that staff do not lose out.”

“Currently 30 beds in the facility are being funded under the Fair Deal scheme, with the remaining seven beds funded by the Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Organisation and the HSE for patients who were resident in the hospital before the Fair Deal scheme became operation.”

“What I find very disturbing is the fact that not all providers of Fair Deal beds are being paid the same.”

“Cobh Community Hospital has been providing care to the people of Cobh, and surrounding environs, in one way or another since the late 1820s.”

“Funding inadequacies by the HSE not only cause financial pain to the staff, but also jeopardise the long-term future of the facilities which includes 37 long term respite beds.”

“The HSE management are very supporting of Cobh Community Hospital and are eager to explore all options open to them to ensure the viability of the facility.”

“I am aware that a meeting took place between the hospital management and the Cork Kerry Community Healthcare organisation on November 23rd.”

“However, as the funding levels provided under the Fair Deal scheme are decided at national level the Minister for Older People is the person who sets the rates.”

“It’s clear to me that the Minister must ensure that it is adequately funding the hospitals for the provision of Fair Deal and respite beds.”

“Short term cuts in funding will only lead to long term problems if hospitals decide to leave the Fair Deal Scheme.”