Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On 29 January last, I met the management of University Hospital Kerry. I did so after being contacted by staff members from various departments in the hospital, primarily with regard to morale being low and the lack of resources. I requested the meeting following numerous complaints. I wish to put it on the record that the staff in the hospital are excellent people. They do a fantastic job, as does the management. I met the new manager and I was very impressed by him. They do a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances. They are dedicated professionals who wish to provide the best services possible, but they are unable to do so due to chronic understaffing and a lack of resources.

They find their work environment extremely stressful, to the extent that some agency staff are refusing shifts in the accident and emergency department due to the severe and overwhelming workload there. I am also told that several members of staff are out of work due to stress-related illnesses, with more likely to follow. At the meeting, I was given assurances that workplace conditions are being addressed. The reality, however, is that the hospital is so under-resourced and the workplace conditions are so stressful that a serious injection of resources will be required to deal with the problems.

In the meantime, the cardiologist, Dr. Louis Keary, has resigned. The Department says he has tendered his resignation but has not resigned. However, I am informed that he has resigned his position at University Hospital Kerry. This means the hospital will be operating with just one part-time cardiologist tending to hundreds of heart patients. Dr. Keary was working in Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee and for two days per week in University Hospital Kerry. It is totally unacceptable that a hospital with a huge catchment area, comprising parts of west Limerick, parts of west Cork and the entire county of Kerry, does not have a full-time cardiologist. That is an indictment of the system. The Minister of State will be aware that there has recently been a review of the 46,235 scans carried out by a consultant radiologist who no longer works at the hospital.

An investigation of workplace practices is needed now more than ever. This must be dealt with. There must be an examination of the workload of consultants and staff at the hospital. We must ensure there are the facilities and resources to ensure the morale of the staff in the hospital is in a good place. That requires a proactive approach on the part of the Minister for Health and his Department to address the difficulties currently being experienced at University Hospital Kerry. I ask the Minister of State to speak with the Minister and the staff about this. It is something that can be resolved but there must be a political commitment to doing that. The people of Kerry appreciate the work done by the hospital and the staff but the Government, the Minister and the Department must step up to the plate and ensure that they get the resources they require and deserve.

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