A PRIVATE Dublin hospital is to close after 50 years in operation. Staff at St Gabriel's Hospital, Cabinteely, were informed this week of the closure, due to take place on May 24th.
Situated in south county Dublin on seven acres, the [property could be valued at over £1.5 million, according to property sources.
The hospital is run by an order of nuns, the Daughters of the Cross. Just seven nuns are left in the congregation.
The hospital matron, Sister Gertrude, told The Irish Times yesterday they were "shattered" by the closure but had taken the decision after months of careful consideration. More than 30 nursing and domestic staff were employed and she had told them of the decision.
The congregation, she said, was aware of changes taking place in Irish health care. A number of factors contributed to the decision. These included the increasing demand for resources, both human and financial the emergence of competition in health insurance; and of new relationships between insurer and provider which created increased pressures on productivity, finance and other resources within hospitals.
"Those of us who have been involved in discussions between the VHI and the Independent Hospital Consultants' Association (IHAI) will be aware of these issues and, indeed, of the ever increasing pressures on private hospitals and their owners," said a statement from the order.
The greater volume and demand for day care operations and facilities has resulted in a reduction in in patient demand. The increasing pressure from accountability legislation and the increasing risk of litigation have also been factors.
The order has appointed O'Hare & Association to assist in the wind downs of operations. A spokesman for that firm said yesterday they would welcome approaches from anyone interested in purchasing the property and continuing to operate it as a hospital or with alternative plans.
Sister Gertrude said the hospital has been dedicated to providing a caring, homely and a happy atmosphere for patients from all over the country.
She said it was one of the first to provide facilities for parents to stay with their children. They had a fully equipped operating theatre, recovery room, X ray and physiotherapy facilities.
The chief executive of the IHAI, Mr Michael Heavey, described the closure as very sad for the local community.
"This is a hospital that served a great social function in south county Dublin for almost half a century."