Inaccessible HSE Laois store for not fit for purposes claims Laois TD

A Laois storage unit for vital health equipment is not fit for purpose as it cannot be accessed, according to Laois independent TD Brian Stanley.

The TD made that claim in a statement issued after investigating problems highlighted by the mother of a child who needs equipment that cant be accessed because of a health and safety problem with the HSE store in Mountmellick.

The Laois TD said the problem has to be tackled because of what is stored in the unit.

“The problem with the equipment store for Laois HSE in Mountmellick must be addressed. Typically, this unit would store equipment such as walking aids, wheelchairs etc.

“The situation with the therapy store facility in Mountmellick needs to be resolved by senior HSE management and Government. The fact that some of the equipment stored there cannot be accessed for use by people with disabilities is unacceptable," he said.

Dep Stanley insisted that the HSE is aware of the problem.

"In 2023 The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) report on the building identified the number of risks within the storage facility. While the HSE inform me that they did carry out some remedial works, there are still some restrictions in parts of the facility. This means that some of the equipment cannot be accessed," he said.

Mr Stanley said the equipment in limbo is needed by children. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Brian Stanley TD.

"There is a particular problem with access to the children’s equipment as it is stored on a mezzanine unit (loft). I have discussed this with HSE management and also raised it with the Minister for Health by way of a Dáil question.

“From the information I have received so far, this building is not fit for purpose and there may also be need for extra staff. The storage space appears to be limited. Only a very limited amount of repairing of equipment and recycling is happening," he said.

The TD explained the impact it is having.

"Families who need certain types of equipment say that there is a loan recycling system in other counties where you borrow this equipment and return it when you no longer need it. In the case of a child, they grow out of equipment, and it is returned to the HSE for recycling. This does not seem to be in operation in Laois. The result of not having this system is the parents have to buy new equipment each time, or if a family does not have medical card cover the HSE have to cover the cost.

“I am awaiting a further response from HSE management and the Health Minister as this needs to be sorted as soon as possible,’’ said the TD.

His statement followed a report by the Leinster Express / Laois Live in December in which the mum of a Laois infant with disabilities called the situation 'scandalous' saying that apart from costing her family thousands of euro it also could delay her child's development.

The woman and her partner said they had learned that the storage unit in Mountmellick was inaccessible due to a health and safety problem which meant equipment purchased for the Laois team could not be accessed for the past three years.

"Nobody has been in or out of the building for three years so nobody has access. That equipment is in extreme demand so every individual that needs equipment is being purchased but if you don't have a medical card you fall through the cracks," said the mum.

The HSE issued a statement to Laois Live / Leinster Express at the time.

"The HSE can confirm that due to a health and safety issue within HSE Therapy Stores, Mountmellick there has been reduced access to equipment located on the mezzanine floor of this building. But stock held in this premises for paediatric services are recycled aids and appliances only. It should be noted that there is not a significant amount of paediatric equipment available for recycling due to the nature of the caseload and the needs of the children, in that regard the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) have advised that the reduced access to the premises is not significantly impacting the provision of equipment to families," it said.

The HSE says a CDNT includes health and social care professionals who provide services for children with disabilities. Each team member specialises in different areas of child development. They work together with families to support children with complex needs.