Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Kearns. That makes absolute sense because it is clear that we have pressures on the acute system and we must ensure that the community system works - that there is capacity and staff within it. I do not expect Mr. Kearns be across this, but I will give an example. There is a debate at the moment regarding Clifden District Hospital, which is more than an hour from Galway city.

There is a lack of referrals to the hospital from University Hospital Galway even though UHG is one of the busiest hospitals in the country. In UHG, one in eight patients were on trolleys this time last year. We have been told that referrals have dried up because there is no physiotherapist in Clifden and that demand for respite has stopped. Doctors have been told that they cannot refer. Even though these doctors have local knowledge and work in the community, they cannot refer patients to the district hospital and referrals must be made by UHG. These are real problems as staffing and recruitment are having an impact on the delivery of service. In addition, community healthcare units tell us that they cannot get staff despite bespoke campaigns.

As far as I can see, the units have not searched internationally yet that is being done by the Saolta Hospital Group. There is a need for more engagement and a joint analysis of the problems in order to find solutions. I have given a perfect example for why these two elements need to be connected. We can talk how we like about Sláintecare and plans but there are real examples in some of the more remote areas located away from the hospitals where there is, in this case, a district hospital. Indeed, there is a public nursing home in An Cheathrú Rua facing similar staff issues. The nursing home has beds but no staff to provide a service and care which is situation that keeps pressure on UHG.