Return of ophthalmic services

The return of full ophthalmology services in Drogheda has been welcomed locally.

Since 2015, South Louth Primary Care Services were left without the services of a medical ophthalmologist due to extended sick leave.

Services continued on a scaled down basis with patients who required a medical examination having to travel to Dundalk and in some cases Dublin. This month St Peters Primary Care Centre has secured the services of a Consultant Ophthalmologist who will be supported by two other ophthalmic professionals an Optometrist and an Orthoptist who manages squints and patching for children.

The news has been welcomed by Drogheda TD Imelda Munster, who said: ‘ This restoration of full services will mean waiting times will significantly drop and patients will no longer have to travel to Dundalk or Dublin for services.’

She added: ‘Work is also well under way for the five dental surgeries in the Boyne Shopping Centre due to open in October/ November and it will also provide civil registration services such as Births, Deaths, and Marriages registration, civil ceremonies and immigration checks.

‘In 2016 dental services were forced to close in the Haymarket on Health and Safety issues and Ballsgrove Heath Centre following malicious fire damage and again patients were again forced to travel for services.’ Major works are due to commence on the refurbishment of Ballsgrove Health Centre and it is expected the centre will re-open before Christmas.