Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a Waterford Deputy, I also have serious concerns about the cessation of dermatology services at UHW. In the past year, concerns were raised in the south east when the reorganisation of hospital groups was proposed. We received assurances from the Minister for Health and departmental officials that essential services would not be downgraded, which was welcomed. The Minister visited the hospital only recently.

However, the issue Deputy Conway has rightly raised relates to the future of dermatology services at UHW. I fully support what she said. Dermatology is a key health service for people suffering with serious skin problems, including melanoma. Regular monitoring of these lesions is essential for successful patient outcomes. UHW has three consultant dermatologist posts. One consultant has retired, one has gone on maternity leave and, in correspondence I have had with the HSE, it says it has consistently advertised for a third consultant without success. This has resulted in patients from the south east being referred to South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital Cork, SIVUH, increasing the burden on the dermatology unit there. This is not good enough. It behoves us as public representatives to voice serious concerns on behalf of the people of Waterford and the south east. These need to be addressed without delay.

I am not sure what the HSE and the Department can do because if they are advertising and no applicant is successful, we have a serious problem. One applicant was successful but when the contracts were drawn up, the applicant pulled out and we were left with no consultant in the region.

General practitioners have raised concerns regarding a backlog of communications between them and the dermatological unit in UHW. The HSE has addressed this by providing additional resources. However, this is a cry for help by two Waterford Deputies. The issue has been ongoing for a number of months. There has been continual correspondence between us and the HSE. It is with reluctance that we have brought our concerns to the House but we are seeking the direct intervention of the Minister of State and the help of the Department of Health to ensure these important positions are filled as soon as possible.

See this speech in context