Jobs fear as Sligo’s Kingsbridge Hospital plans new model

Kingsbridge Healthcare Group has said that a number of roles may be “impacted” at its private hospital in Sligo as the company looks to move to a “new care model”.

Kingsbridge currently employs 83 staff members in Sligo and also has private hospitals in Belfast and Derry.

However, it is only staff in Sligo that will be implicated by the changes.

Staff were informed at a meeting last week that retraining or redeployment to other roles may take place.

In a statement, Kingsbridge Healthcare Group said: “Following a strategic review, Kingsbridge Healthcare Group will be implementing a new service model and investing in the future of Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Sligo.

“As part of this transition to a new care model, a number of roles may be impacted.

“The company is engaging directly with those affected and is committed to exploring retraining and redeployment opportunities at the upgraded facility, and to supporting all employees fully throughout the process.”

It has not been confirmed if the process will directly result in redundancies at the hospital.

Nominated employee representatives are said to be liaising with Kingsbridge.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital said it will remain open throughout the process, and there will be no disruption to services at the Sligo hospital.

The company said details of the investment into the Sligo facility are to be announced in due course.

Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council and Fianna Fáil councillor Dónal Gilroy said that potential redundancies at the hospital would be “devastating for the area”.

“Kingsbridge provide a lot of healthcare that would not be available in public hospitals,” he told RTÉ News. “They have provided an overflow facility when necessary.

“We hope that this will not reflect a loss of services in the area and that they will continue to provide the day services that they have done for many years.”

Local Independent TD Marian Harkin and other Sligo TDs said they would be writing to management at Kingsbridge Healthcare Group to seek further information on the matter.