Crumlin Hospital Closures - Parents Need Your Help

Biggins

Thank you to Boards.ie (and especially dr.bollocko) for posting the following appeal which effects the whole of Ireland.

I have a 4 year old child that suffers from Scoliosis (from birth).
This is a non-curable spinal disorder that needs fully body cast changes every two to three months maximum (due to body growth).
The only place that does this in Ireland for my child is the Crumlins Children's Hospital.
I have just been informed this morning (16th May, 2009) that the government has ordered the closure of the wards for this treatment (St Josephs ward being one) and others too!

The great effect Crumlin Hospital treatment has on my child's spine cannot be understated. These pics are of my child before cast and after:



This treatment is absolutely vital not just because of the spine but also if the spine is twisted, further pressure is brought down to bear on the kidneys and lungs of my child. Causing them major further problems.

I know and met others that come from as far as Kerry and Donegal, who go to Dublin as this is the only place that treats this problem.

What the hell is Harney and this frakin government doing!
This and other planned closures in the next two months will effect many, many children not just my own.

Its one thing to slap more taxes on us as adults but when they start closing down the vital services and the treatment wards for our already suffering kids, this encroaches upon inflicting physical and mental torture to our nations children! Harney's stripping of the hospital basic services and absolute vital staff effects cancer children, spinabifida, leukaemia suffers, to name just a few areas.

One news story today: 'Ward closure could kill my son'
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ward-closure-could-kill-my-son-1742094.html

Only the lowest of the low strike out at our children!
Only the lowest of the low causes further pain to children!
Only the lowest of the low takes away their vital life health care!
...And then they have the nerve to ask for our vote! Its criminal!

Please Help - Visit the following:

http://www.bebo.com/our-ladys-hospital

Join in a national day of protest:
(Organisation meeting in the Long Mile Bar, 6 pm Sunday 17th)

May the 23rd, 12 noon outside Our Ladys Childrens Hospital.

An Fear Aniar

Surely they can't do that if it's the only place? It must be a mistake? I think sometimes they cut things to see if anyone squawks.

Is there an association for parents with kids afflicted by this? If not, you need to get organised and start hitting the media.

.

Wertz

Is there anywhere in the North that does this?
Frankly nothing in regard to the health service would surprise me lately...

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

An Fear Aniar wrote: »

Surely they can't do that if it's the only place? It must be a mistake? I think sometimes they cut things to see if anyone squawks.

Is there an association for parents with kids afflicted by this? If not, you need to get organised and start hitting the media.

.

Absolutely. If enough people complain and bring it to public attention you can reverse the decision. It's been done before.

Bigins - you have my sympathy. Good start posting it here.

minxie

This country is a bloody disgrace

Saibh

Sorry to hear about that Biggins


Someone hasn't got their priorities right and haven't for a long time.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Wertz wrote: »

Is there anywhere in the North that does this?
Frankly nothing in regard to the health service would surprise me lately...

They're trying to STOP people going up the north for services, remember?!

SoupyNorman

Thats a god damn joke man (well, another to add to the rapidly expanding list)


Eggs are just the beginning...they are screwing with peoples lives more then the realize but on an altogether higher level, they are screwing with our children. They just come across like room of...


CLUELESS THICK CNUTS


I'd like to see you encounter a FF politician and they tried to engage you in a conversation about GAA.


*KApow!

FlutterinBantam

Sorry to hear that, but thats what happens when greedy HSE staff refuse to budge on conditions/pay/pay and conditions/ entitlements/work practices.

No matter what Govt. are in power the sad FACT remains, the country cannot afford the HSE it now has.

Private sector firms/concerns have to cut their cloth to reflect their income.

This would appear to be news to the HSE:mad:

Sharpshooter

You need to get up a petition Biggins.
This is also the right time to talk to the politicians doing the rounds.
Tell them they will have your vote if they get this overturned.
Ask them to draw attention to it, it might help in some way.
/you don't have to vote for them,just tell them you will.

Karl Hungus

Jesus. I can't imagine how angry you must feel right now. That's just beyond shameful.

Wertz

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

They're trying to STOP people going up the north for services, remember?!

Who is? I know plenty of people in my area that do the whole dental and medical thing down the North.
I'm not for one moment suggesting this as an alternative for the OP; the service should be provided in the State....I'm asking if it's a viable solution in the event that said ward remains closed.

Gummy Panda

Thats a fcuking disgrace!!

Shower of **** in power. Refuse to cut their wages, try pass blame on their civil servants then close down medical facilities.

Biggins, I'm not surprised with tugboat harney in charge.

Holsten

Crazy stuff, it's a shame no one will do anything about this joke of a goverment.

My name is URL

That's fcuking ridiculous.

You should demand that the HSE pay for your childs ongoing treatment in a private clinic such as the one in Belfast, otherwise what they're doing is probably against human rights laws

Gummy Panda

My name is URL wrote: »

That's fcuking ridiculous.

You should demand that the HSE pay for your childs ongoing treatment in a private clinic such as the one in Belfast, otherwise what they're doing is probably against human rights laws

Can he get the medical treatment done on the NHS as an EU citzen?

Podge2k7

Jesus thats a fcuking disgrace!I feel sorry for you and your family op!Is there anywhere up north that do the treatment?

jape

You could email

primetime@rte.ie to see would they help exposing more people to what's going on

and for the Questions & Answers programme (which Harney herself was on last week), email: qanda@rte.ie

They might allow you to ask her the question directly on air, how could she allow this to happen.

Write to the Irish Independent too.

Good luck

They're essentially saying that they are no longer going to treat your childs illness, they can't do that. It has to be against some human rights law. Jesus I'm so f**king angry at this f**king poxy country.

mike65

There is a fund for treatment for which there is a long waiting list dunno if Biggins child falls into the right catagories.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/entitlement-to-health-services/treatment_purchase_fund

Abi

Sharpshooter wrote: »

You need to get up a petition Biggins.
This is also the right time to talk to the politicians doing the rounds.
Tell them they will have your vote if they get this overturned.
Ask them to draw attention to it, it might help in some way.
/you don't have to vote for them,just tell them you will.

I agree with Shooter here. I'd get in touch with every paper I could think of. Sorry to hear the news Biggins, its nasty. Go and make some noise though!

Biggins

Gummy Panda wrote: »

Can she get the medical treatment done on the NHS as an EU citzen?

That I do not know but the treatments have to be done at least two to three months JUST to control the Scoliosis.
There is quite a few hundred around the country that have this exact same problem.

Right now and I mean right now as your reading this, I and my wife are feeling a mixture of wanting to seriously murder someone, anger, depression and feeling like friggin crying.

I rant and rave like the best of them but they are now taking hits at our kids, someone elses kids and my kid.
This isn't a luxury treatment, its a vital breathing life effecting treatment. Without it at the very least, our kids will be left seriously physically disabled, provided her lungs and kidneys survive the crushing and pressure.
How the feck can they dare ask us for our votes when they are lashing out at our kids!

We are seriously depressed today in our house.

An Fear Aniar

Podge2k7 wrote: »

Jesus thats a fcuking disgrace!I feel sorry for you and your family op!Is there anywhere up north that do the treatment?

That's not the point, imho, the Republic should cherish its children - this service must be available.

.

CreepingDeath

Biggins wrote: »

I have a 4 year old child that suffers from Scoliosis (from birth).
This is a non-curable spinal disorder that needs fully body cast changes every two to three months maximum (due to body growth).
The ONLY place that does this in Ireland is the Crumlins Childrens Hospital - ST Josephs ward.
I have just been informed this morning that the government has ordered the closure of the wards for this treatment!

How about getting the media involved ?
Maybe the likes of Prime Time might run with it ?

Edit: Just seen Jape beat me to it with that suggestion !

MarkR

Online petitions are about as useful as a cock flavoured lollipop. We need a name and address of who is responsible, and a template of a letter that can be sent on.

With so many HSE cutbacks in the news, this is also a current and topical story as well. I'd be getting onto your local councillor first, to find out what they plan on doing about it.

Have you been in contact with the hospital yet? Have they given you any options on treatments in the future? If the care that your child requires isn't available in the state, aren't the state required to get you that treatment abroad?

Those ****ers are going to get crucified on election day. And good enough for them.

Snowie

I really think its time this country marched on the doors of the dail and drgged the fat ****s out and introduced them to the a giliteen... I serously think that if politisions dont do there job they should be killed....

Its disgracefull and horrible to hear unfair and just ****ing wrong.....

Sharpshooter

Do online petitions carry any weight?

You could start one here Biggins and I'm sure many many boardsies will sign it and show our displeasure.

Then forward it on to whoever you feel might be in a position to do something.

I can assure you if Mary Harneys child had this condition ST Josephs ward would not be closing.:mad:

4zn76tysfajdxp

Sharpshooter wrote: »

Do online petitions carry any weight?

No, absolutely none. A real-life petition would be far more effective.

RedXIV

jesus i'm really sorry Biggins. Anything I can do, feel free to ask. I've no problem traveling to sign a petition or anything.

Fingers crossed for you

Agent Smith

Contact The Opposition Spokesperson Dr James Reilly

Home Address:
Seafoam
South Shore Road
Rush
Co Dublin
Home Fax:
01-8430792
Leinster House:
Tel:
01-6183749
Fax:
01-6184615

Constituency Office Address:
Lusk Towncentre,
Market Square,
Lusk,
Co. Dublin.
Tel:
01-8437014
Website:
http://www.jamesreilly.finegael.ie
E-mail:
james.reilly@finegael.ie


I dont blame you being angry

I'm angry.

marcsignal

Biggins wrote: »

If I see a Fianna Fail person on the street, I won't be responsible for my actions - and thats a fcuking promise!

I'm very sorry for your trouble Biggins, and hope you find a solution asap.

As other posters have suggested, go the media route, contact RTE and ask for an audience ticket for Questions & Answers, ring Joe Duffy, get your story to Prime Time. Write a very very strongly worded letter to the Irish Times, and at the same time contact The Star. Hit them from all sides and don't give up until your situation is well aired.

I can fully understand your anger towards FF, and the best way to hurt them is bad publicity with this election coming up.

I have some contacts in the media, if i can help you in any way? i'd be happy to do so, just PM me.

best of luck

Gummy Panda

Its all over €10 million while AIB got €3.5 billion recently.

Caoimhín

That makes me feel sick and angry.

Can you post up the name of the unit?

My letter to local TDs is now written.

seanybiker

bloody hell thats disgraceful carry on. I used to go to blackrock years ago for my back. Had to wear a horrible back brace.
Its such a pity they are stopping this treatment as its obviously working very well .
Make as much noise about this as you can. Online petition obviously.

Ulysses Gaze

This f!cking country makes El Salvador look like a model utopia.

Ireland is a Basketcase, Banana Republic run for FF & their builder and banker buddies. Democracy? A modern day Kleptocracy more like.

People are dying in hospitals, being refused treatment for illnesses while bankers and builders get bail-outs at our expense.........

Sheer, Lunacy that if it wasn't so serious it would be funny.

When are the people of Ireland going to rise up and say collectively:

'NO MORE'

Biggins, I have the utmost sympathy for your plight. I knew a girl who passed away a few years ago at 23 from CF. The facilities and treatment for CF in this country are shocking. The health system under that fat f******cking pig of a c**nt Harney is disgraceful.

Firetrap

Biggins, I'm genuinely sorry to read about your situation. What a horrible horrible thing your family is going through.

How about contacting Sam Smyth the Irish Independent journalist/presenter of the Sunday Supplement on Today FM? His daughter has Cystic Fibrosis and when the HSE wanted to defer building new facilities for treating patients, he went on a little mini crusade which seems to have worked.

and they have €60 million to spend on a bridge?!

Armin_Tamzarian

Jeez Biggins, really sorry to hear about your troubles.
Your post actually shocked me, how can a developed country completely cut off a child from necessary medical care?
To be honest, if someone told me this story down the pub I probably wouldn't believe them.

Just when you think that this country can't sink any lower, it dives.

deadhead13

The Save Our Crumlin Chidren's Hospital Campaign is planning a mass protest on saturday May 23rd.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0514/breaking56.htm

11811

Jesus that's shocking, what a bunch of clowns we have running ruining the country...

Agamemnon

So sorry to hear about this, Biggins. IMO online petitions won't achieve much, the newspapers, radio and tv are better options for bringing this to people's attention.

Denerick

Bring this to the newspapers and force the government to back down. The government will threaten obscure life saving procedures because they are expensive to maintain and have relatively little traffic. We as a nation need to ensure that we do not become victims of geographical prejudice - I'd imagine having to go to England every two or three months would cost an arm and a leg, especially since you won't be on the NHS.

As I say, bring it to the publicity and do your best to get it heard. Ring liveline. Ring everone. Ring your TD. Write to the minister. Make yourself heard.

auditek923

this is madness. **** fianna fail

Takk

Who'd be the best target for us Boardsies to mass email about this?

Also, not a fan myself, but for supporters of online petitions: http://www.gopetition.com/online/15434.html (Save Our Lady's Children's Hospital In Crumlin)

deadhead13

There are contact numbers for people involved in the campaign on the People Before Profit's website.....

http://www.people-before-profit.org/node/102

Ruu_Old

Sorry for the hassle you are having, Biggins. Make sure to send a nice, clear message to FF in June, you and everyone else in the country.

magenta73

so sorry Biggins to hear about your little one, I can only imagine what you and your family are going through. I personally know a Sinn Féin TD and will ring him first thing Monday morning, hope it helps in anyway.:(

Nevyn

http://www.dohc.ie/about_us/contact/

http://www.hse.ie/eng/

yoursay@hse.ie

Dudess

Biggins, that's horrible. I'm so sorry...

Kernel

There's a protest organised outside the hospital next Saturday for anyone who wants to voice their displeasure at closing wards in a Children's Hospital.

JP Liz

Sorry to hear that Biggins - its a f$$king disgrace :mad: