‘Minister needs to wake up on Kerry hospital’ – Michael Healy-Rae
OVER 120 elderly people are still waiting on vital orthopaedic surgery at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) as the centre struggles to deliver any operations in the field.
Michael Healy-Rae said the hospital has not carried out scheduled procedures since June 2018 due to operational difficulties on site, and he has called on the Government and the South/South West Hospital Group to intervene.
If they do not, Deputy Healy-Rae said he fears UHK “will ultimately be downgraded to a glorified Community Hospital”.
“On two occasions, a date has been given for procedures to recommence but unfortunately these dates have both been missed,” he said. The hospital was working towards an October 1 deadline to recommence procedures, but this deadline was missed, Deputy Healy Rae said.
“And, in fact, I fear procedures will not commence until the new year.
“It can almost be assumed that the majority of these 124 are elderly citizens of Kerry who have been left suffering long enough, but it looks like they will be waiting much longer until matters at the hospital have been resolved.”
Deputy Healy-Rae called on Minister for Health Simon Harris TD and the South/ South West Hospital Group to intervene.
He explained that he raised the issue last month with Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty, who invited him to meet both Minister Harris and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
“I have followed up with both their offices, and I am actively seeking a date for this meeting,” he said.