CONCERN THAT CONTRACTS WON'T BE RENEWED AT PORTIUNCULA HOSPITAL

Date Published: 19-Aug-2009

There's concern that patient services at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe will be affected by job losses.It's claimed that up to 50 contract staff at the hospital will not have their contracts renewed by the HSE West.The contracts are across a range of departments at the hospital.Galway East T.D. Ulick Burke says he has been contacted by staff at the hospital this week, who say they have been told their contracts will not be renewed.The Fine Gael T.D believes that the HSE is indirectly implementing the recommendations of the Hanly Report to downgrade some smaller hospitals.Deputy Burke says the non renewal of contracts for staff at Portiuncula will have serious consequences.