There has been much speculation and anger as to the proposed changing of the name of Our Lady Of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda.
The political correct police presumably have been on the beat in the hospital as management propose a name change as part of their new strategic plan.
According to an article in Drogheda Life, the General Manager of the hospital, wrote to all staff members this week with their intention, “as part of the Senior Management Strategic Plan for Quarter 1, 2019”, to change the name of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda to one of the following:
1. University Hospital Drogheda
2. Drogheda Regional Hospital
3. Drogheda General Hospital
Having contacted a number of people we know personally who work at Our Lady Of Lourdes hospital, The Liberal discovered that it’s the name ‘Lourdes’ itself that may be offensive to non-Catholics and has prompted the proposed name change.
The bizarre name change would cost huge money to change all the signage, admin and software in a hospital where the entire town of Drogheda, neighbouring town of Dundalk and every village and townland in the county knows its name as “The Lourdes” so well.
“It’s an absolute joke. It’s because there’s a Catholic connotation in the name. The entire county calls it simply ‘The Lourdes’ irrespective of religion. No one is offended working here no matter what religion they are”.
Another said “I heard that some non Catholics wanted the name changed in case people coming into the hospital who aren’t Catholic would be offended but I was genuinely surprised when management decided to take the offence seriously”.
The third person, all of whom preferred to not be named in print for fear of retribution, said: “It’s political correct cr*p. The hospital is named after Our Lady and Bernadette in Lourdes, there’s even a statue on the roof and the chapel is packed every single day for mass. It’s more of the same rubbish and completely unnecessary.”
Anyone who has ever been treated in Our Lady Of Lourdes hospital knows full well the exemplary care and treatment they receive in the hospital. Whether it’s Michael or Mohammad, Rachel or Rabia, no one cares less what the hospital is called or who is treating them – and that goes for people from all backgrounds and religions, even staff members.
The cornerstone of Our Lady Of Lourdes is a diamond shaped compass on the floor outside the chapel near the central lifts and stairs of the hospital.
The chapel is packed on a daily basis for mass with the friendly chaplin Fr Hogan and his assistances doing their work around the hospital chatting, consoling and helping both patients and staff alike.
The bottom line with Our Lady Of Lourdes is that it doesn’t need a name change at all – it needs new beds and more staff, especially in its newest wings.
Overworked and underpaid staff filter through the hospital, people are doing double work for the same time and money. Wards lie vacant as there isn’t the money to staff them – yet some non Catholic may be offended by the word ‘Lourdes’ – it’s utterly outrageous.
Simon Harris is, in my opinion, the most useless Minister for Health that we’ve had in recent years, and that’s quite a feat if you think about his predecessors.
Drogheda, Co. Louth is full of good people, people who will stand up for what they believe in. Now is the time for these people to stand up to the hospital management as it’s the biggest employer of the town – they need to tell management that they love the name Our Lady Of Lourdes, it’s staying as it is and if someone doesn’t like it then they can go somewhere else.
What do you think of this proposed name change? Is Our Lady Of Lourdes an offensive name to non Catholics and even if it is, should the name be changed to facilitate them? Tell us what you think in the Facebook post comments?