Staff shortage leads to massive drop in number of respite beds in Galway

The number of respite beds available across Galway has plummeted in the aftermath of Covid – because of a lack of staff.

Pre-Covid, there were 25 respite beds available in the city and county – including twelve in Merlin Park. Post-Covid that number has fallen to just four.

The number of beds at Merlin Park alone has fallen from twelve to two, both the Aran Islands and Carraroe have gone from two to zero, and Clifden District Hospital has gone from four to two.

Galway West Deputy Catherine Connolly expressed her ‘great concern’ over the fall in available respite beds – on top of the growing list of people waiting for home care.

Because, in reply to a separate Dáil question also tabled by Deputy Connolly, it was confirmed that 278 people approved for home care support services were on a waiting list.

“The crisis in both areas has arisen primarily due to lack of staff, and also due to HIQA registration requirements,” said Deputy Connolly.

“It is just not acceptable to let waiting lists build up and continuously increase the burden on family carers and or hospital beds. We need urgent action from the Health Services Executive West to deal with this crisis which is putting an intolerable strain on families,” she added.

As well as tabling a range of Dáil questions, Deputy Connolly has also raised this matter on the floor of the Dáil and will continue to do so.

She has vowed that she will closely monitor the HSE proposal to increase the number of respite beds there.

“To date, what has been announced, is a vague commitment to further respite beds with absolutely no time schedule,” she said