Responding to claims that a range of community facilities are being scaled back due to staff shortages – a HSE spokesperson says they have only been temporarily re-organised for patient safety.
Last week the Psychiatric Nurses Association warned of serious cutbacks in community psychiatric services in South Tipperary as the result of a shortage of consultants and doctors.
It says this has lead to no clients being accepted on Home Based Treatment Teams or in Crisis House from the Tipperary or Clonmel West sector…adding that no appointments are being offered for routine referrals, while all outpatient clinics have been cancelled.
The PNA also warned there was the potential for the cancellation of out of hours assessment through the A&E at South Tipp General and criticised the HSE for failing to plan properly.
However in a statement to Tipp FM – a spokesperson for the HSE stated there has been no closures nor are any planned – but that the South Tipp service has been temporarily re-organised to ensure patient safety and maintenance of prioritised services while medical posts remain vacant.
They go on to add that there has been a difficulty nationwide in filling specialised posts but every effort will continue to be made to recruit locum medical staff and to fill the posts permanently while HSE is working with staff representatives in addressing areas of mutual concern.
