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Nick Rabbitts, 16 Aug
A MEDICAL professional, formerly based in Barrington’s Hospital in the
city, believes the HSE has a “moral duty” to take over the private
facility.
Dr Michael Gaffney, a former surgeon, registrar and lecturer, who has
practised all over the world, spent almost 20 years in Barrington’s.
Next year, the city centre hospital will close as its owners, Bon
Secours will move to a new state-of-the-art facility at Ballysimon.
The landmark riverside building has been placed on the market for €12m
- and, last month, the Leader revealed there has been “significant
interest” in its purchase.
What remains unclear, however, is whether it will remain as a medical
building, or if is used for something else.
The HSE has already ruled out the purchase of the 53-bed hospital,
questioning its long-term suitability for health purposes.
However, Dr Gaffney believes Barrington’s could play a “huge role” in
providing public healthcare.
He referred to a surgical hub being built by the HSE at the former
Scoil Carmel in O’Connell Avenue, and believes Barrington’s could work
hand-in-hand to provide longer-term elective procedures.
“Scoil Carmel will be a hub for day cases. But not all elective
procedures for public patients are day cases. Barrington’s could do for
the people who need to be in for two or three days,” he explained.
Barrington’s was built by the family of the same name on behalf of the
city in 1829, and it was incorporated in 1830.
The family had always wished for it to continue to be used as a
hospital.
And it is on this basis that Dr Gaffney beieves the HSE has a “moral
duty” to use the building.
He dismissed the HSE’s view the building may not be suitable.
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“It’s being used as a hospital now by Bon Secours, which is a
highly-regarded private group. If it’s ageing, how come they are
working there,” he asked.
Dr Gaffney said he would “abhor it” if Barrington’s is no longer used
for health purposes.
He believes if the public health waiting lists ever come down,
Barrington’s could then be turned into an educational centre for
studying the philosophy of medicine.
“It would be a fitting epitaph for the family’s wishes,” he concluded.