File photo Image: Shutterstock/BlurryMe File photo Image: Shutterstock/BlurryMe SAINT JOHN OF God Community Services has announced it plans to end its service arrangement with the Health Services Executive and to transfer responsibility for the operation of its services directly to the HSE over the next 12 months.
The Chief Executive of St John of God Community Services, Clare Dempsey, said the organisation has been communicating over the past two days with the children and adults supported by the services, their families and staff members, retirees and volunteers to inform them of the “very sad decision”. Dempsey said this accumulated deficit would stand at almost €54 million if the order didn’t contribute €16 million in recent years to sustain service provision.
“In the first instance, it is of critical importance to reassure service users, families and the public that these vital supports and services will continue to be provided without disruption.
Such services should be owned and operated by a national public service. Delegation is merely abdication of responsibility. Duplication of running different organisations is costly and wasteful. It is high time the HSE took over all healthcare facilities and services.