Brassil: Hospital is at ‘crisis point’
KERRY Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil has written to the management of University Hospital Kerry (UHK) to express his grave concerns about the lack of key staff at the hospital.
This week Deputy Brassil wrote to Ger O’Callaghan, the Chief Operations Officer of the HSE’s South/South West Hospital Group – which runs UHK – to outline his fears.
Deputy Brassil told The Kerryman that the lack of key personnel at UHK is making it very difficult for the hospital to function in a safe and efficient manner.
“We currently do not have a consultant cardiologist, the last remaining consultant pathologist is leaving the hospital, and the hospital has only one consultant geriatrician,” said Deputy Brassil.
“Two very important units, the stroke and diabetes units, are barely operational due to a lack of key staff. Recently, I was informed that the Clinical Director has temporarily stepped aside,” he said.
“UHK is at crisis point. The safety and well-being of patients and staff is now being put at risk by the staffing crisis. It cannot be allowed to continue, and unless the Cork-Kerry Hospital Group, and the wider HSE, get its act together, patient safety will continue to be put at risk,” Deputy Brassil claimed.
The Fianna Fáil TD said that if the situation is allowed continue, he fears that UHK may lose its Category 3 District Hospital status.
“The hospital is being stretched to breaking point and there is no back up from the hospital group. The staffing gaps have to be filled to make it functional and safe,” Deputy Brassil said.
Speaking to The Kerryman this week Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also aired concerns about the hospital and how it is being managed
Health Minister Simon Harris has said that the HSE is working with the Consultant Appointments Advisory Committee and the Public Appointments Service to address staffing shortages at UHK.