CORK East Labour TD Seán Sherlock has slammed the decision to shut a North Cork Hospital with just two weeks notice and to transfer all patients to Cork City.

CORK East Labour TD Seán Sherlock has slammed the decision to shut a North Cork Hospital with just two weeks notice and to transfer all patients to Cork City.

Describing as "disgraceful" the announcement by the HSE South to close Heatherside Hospital in Buttevant with effect from February 1st , Deputy Sherlock said there are still a number of questions to be answered as to how HSE management arrived at this decision.

"There are approximatey 100 staff residing locally who work at Heatherside. None of them were consulted or given any prior notice of this decision. This is a unilateral decision and blatantly disregards any respect for both patients and workers who have been loyal to Heatherside."

"Not all of these workers can be redeployed to St Stephen's Hospital and it is unrealistic to suggest that this can be done within a two week period,

"I am extremely concerned at the impact this upheaval will have on the patients, many of whom, are extremely vulnerable. The Mental Health Act needs to be examined to ensure that patients rights are not impinged upon. The patients are being treated like pieces on a chess board with no regard for the fact that some of them have resided there for most of their adults lives." he said.

Deputy Sherlock further stated that the closure of the facility is also questionable following the recent investment in a new Kitchen and other improvements at Heatherside at a cost of thousands of euro.

"I will be raising this issue in the Dáil. This decision is proof to me that the HSE doesn't give a damn about the patients or staff at Heatherside," he said.