Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, for coming to the House. Over 12 months ago, I raised staffing problems at St. Patrick’s Community Hospital, Fermoy, County Cork. We seem to have bigger problems this time. There seems to be a big problem with maintaining staff levels in the hospital. I do not think the HSE is taking a hands-on approach to this job. I spoke recently to a potential applicant for a job in the hospital who was told six months ago their name would be kept on file. When they approached the hospital recently to see whether they could get a position, they were told to reapply.

I particularly want to highlight the non-attendance by a doctor or medical officer at the St. Patrick’s Community Hospital site. This has caused fierce problems for the community. Families who have loved ones at home sometimes put them into respite care at St. Patrick’s Community Hospital for certain periods. It is an invaluable service for them. The HSE has informed us that a solution has been put in place. I will give an example of a person living near Mitchelstown who needs 24-hour care. He was offered a bed in Mallow but this was not sufficient because even with the care and attendance of those who provide cover at St. Patrick’s Community Hospital, he still needs family members to travel and stay with him when he is in hospital. It is a total disgrace that this person and his family members have not received any respite in the past four or five months.

Why has the HSE not acted before now to find a replacement medical officer? I have asked this question previously. I acknowledge that we had an officer who resigned. The most recent officer retired. Anyone in business would have a track record of his or her employees that would indicate who is going to be retiring 12 months down the road, and not just in a couple of weeks or months. I am led to believe that a temporary solution has been found and I acknowledge that. In fairness to the local GPs, they have come together to try to organise a roster. That is no more than a temporary solution. It will not fix the long-term problem that will continue to arise.

There are 72 beds in St. Patrick’s Community Hospital. Previous Governments put tremendous amounts of money into the upgrading of the hospital. It is now acknowledged as one of the best long-term care facilities in County Cork. As I have said previously, this building was falling down some years ago. It was the last place to which one would want to sent a loved one. People seem to be dying to get in there now. We do not want to lose this facility but wish to keep it. The town has already lost the St. Francis Welfare Home, which also cared for elderly people and people of no means. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House this afternoon. I await her response. I know she will sound positive. I want her to set out a longer-term solution that will get this matter resolved.

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