Sneem fights to save local public nurse

A CAMPAIGN has begun in Sneem in a bid to save the public health nurse in the village amid fears she will be moved to the town of Kenmare permanently.

The local community has vowed to save this vital medical service and to ensure it remains in the local village, not in nearby Kenmare.

While the move would mean that the public health nurse would still serve the local region, but from a new base in Kenmare, residents do not believe this is appropriate and believe that it is another attempt by the HSE to reduce medical services to rural areas.

“Enough is enough. We have had five different nurses in three years. They get acquainted to the area and are moved to Kenmare,” explained Dr Patrick Malone, the village’s former GP and a well-known community activist.

“This nurse has been here for a year and she is outstanding. She is keen to work here and she is being asked to move to Kenmare,” he explained.

“It is not practical for this nursing service to operate at a distance, from Kenmare.”

The public health nurses operates from Sneem Medical Centre, where the local GP is also based. The public health nurse or district nurse operates independently of the GP service. The nurses visits the elderly, those who need medical help at home and new mothers and babies. The Sneem public heath nurse covers the entire community of Sneem as well as far as the bridge in Castlecove, part of the Black Valley, and as far as Blackwater.

Dr Malone said no information has been provided by the HSE to the local community but they are aware of attempts to relocate her and have vowed to fight back. “If we don’t object they will continue.” Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said they are committed to providing a public health nurse in Sneem but have accommodation issues.

“We are actively seeking alternative accommodation and in the meantime we are using accommodation in Kenmare on a temporary basis,” they said in a statement.