No clarity on knee and hip ops at UHK

DESPITE calls for information, the HSE has provided no update about the planned resumption of hip and knee replacement operations at University Hospital Kerry (UHK).

The provision of such operations at UHK was suspended during the summer but they were due to resume from October 15. However it is claimed that this has not occurred.

Kerry Councillor Toireasa Ferris (SF) and TD Michael Healy-Rae (Ind) say they were told knee and hip operations are yet to resume at UHK.

“Despite reassurances from management that hip and knee replacements would recommence we have been informed this has not happened. In fact we are being told there are still funding issues and it will be some time before public procedures will begin again,” said Cllr Ferris.

“We have asked a series of questions including how many public patients were on the list at the time of the suspension of procedures, how many have since been added and why was the public list suspended.”

Cllr Ferris said it is also “crucial” that hospital management clarify whether private patients have undergone this surgery at UHK since the suspension and, if so, how this was justified.

Deputy Healy-Rae said he has “serious concerns with regard to the failure to carry out hip and knee operations at UHK and what appears to be the general downgrading of the hospital on a continuous basis.”

Kerry Oireachtas members are due to be briefed by UHK management at the hospital on November 12. Health Minister Simon Harris has agreed to meet the Kerry TDs and Senators to discuss issues at the hospital.

The HSE did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.