A NUMBER OF LISTENERS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER A STORY BROKEN BY MIDWEST NEWS ON FRIDAY AND LATER CONFIRMED BY THE HSE WEST  - THAT 59 BEDS IN PUBLIC NURSING HOMES AND DISTRICT HOSPITALS IN MAYO ARE TO CLOSE.

THE CLOSURES ARE SPREAD OVER 6 FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY, INCLUDING SWINFORD AND BELMULLET DISTRICT HOSPITALS, THE SACRED HEART HOSPITAL IN CASTLEBAR, THE MCBRIDE NURSING HOME IN WESTPORT, ST AUGUSTINE’S IN BALLINA AND THE DALTON FACILITY IN CLAREMORRIS.

MANY LISTENERS ARE NOT ACCEPTING THE HSE’S EXPLANATION THAT IT IS A SHORTAGE OF STAFF THAT IS FORCING THE CLOSING OF BEDS DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S MORATORIUM ON RECRUITMENT OF FRONTLINE STAFF - THEY INSIST THE PROBLEM IS WITH ADMINSTARION OF THE HSE AND SAY IT’S COMPLETELY UNFAIR TO REDUCE FACILITIES THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND.