Elderly may lose hospital

More than 50 elderly people may be forced to leave their long-stay beds at the former Meath Hospital in Dublin and move to nursing…

More than 50 elderly people may be forced to leave their long-stay beds at the former Meath Hospital in Dublin and move to nursing homes if funding for renovations is not forthcoming from the Department of Health, Age Action Ireland has said. Kitty Holland reports.

"Such a closure would have a devastating effect on local people," said Mr Paul Murray, spokesman for Age Action.

One of the nursing staff said they were told by the management that it would close "due to lack of funding". A spokesman confirmed yesterday that the Department of Health and Children had received a submission for substantial funding.

"It is a substantial amount of money we are talking about. It is not just a matter of painting and decorating," he said.

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A spokesman for the South Western Area Health Board confirmed it was seeking €6 million to "undertake major renovation".

Age Action said the board accepted "the unit is materially in bad condition but it needs finance to upgrade it. If this is not done a large number of older people may have to be placed elsewhere. The closure would be an awful blow."