‘It’s Belfast or go blind!’
CHRISTMAS came early for six people this week when they travelled to Kingsbridge Hospital in Belfast for cataract surgery as part of a trip organised by deputies Danny Healy-Rae and Michael Collins from west Cork.
The eight-hour journey is a gruelling one but, having waited years for life changing surgery that takes just 15 minutes, it was a short trip indeed for the patients from Tralee, Rathmore, Killarney, Kilgarvan and Ballymacelligott who made the journey.
Over 14,300 people are waiting for cataract surgery in Kerry and Cork, which is one of the regions worst effected by delays. The condition, a clouding of the lens, affects vision and seriously reduces quality of life for older people. Frustrated over excessive waiting times, Deputy Healy-Rae said he, along with deputy Collins, arranged the bus in order to ‘ give people a chance’.
“It’s either go to Belfast or go blind,” Deputy Healy Rae said. “I want to congratulate the people for embarking on the journey given they were let down badly by the HSE. It’s a fair undertaking for older people travelling to Belfast. It’s a sad reflection on our health system considering the millions pumped into it.”
Margaret Sheehan (84) from Kielduff near Tralee said they were treated like royalty during the trip: “We were looked after so well and I can’t get over the difference in my eye since Sunday.
“The bus journey was hard but I can’t thank Danny enough for what he has done.”
Patrick Casey from Tralee was waiting over seven years for treatment. The irony for Patrick is that 50 years ago his grandfather was able to access the surgery in Tralee.
“It’s a sad state of affairs that I had to go to Belfast in 2017 while he had the procedure done in my home town nearly 50 years ago. Where’s the progress in that? I’m sitting here now reading the paper and I can’t believe the difference it’s made,” Patrick said.
Eileen Kennedy from Ballymacelligott was waiting over two years just to be seen by a specialist and she also praised deputy Healy-Rae for highlighting what she described as a ‘ scandalous situation’.
“You’d be gone blind waiting and it’s a joke. I’m over the moon with the surgery and I can see so much clearer now,” she said.
“If they can do 13 people on a Sunday in Belfast - consultation included - surely they can make more of an effort down here. The gift of sight is one of the most important things you have,” Eileen added.