Dáil debates

Thursday, 28 March 2019

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

Health Services Staff

5:10 pm

Photo of John BrassilJohn Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the opportunity to raise as a Topical Issue the provision of cardiology services in University Hospital Kerry as it is something which is absolutely critical to the functioning of the hospital. The Minister of State will be aware that University Hospital Kerry is a level 3 24-7 hospital with an emergency unit. As of early last year, it has been operating without the services of a full time cardiologist. This situation was brought about by the resignation of the previous cardiologist. At the time, there was great concern and I had a Topical Issue matter on it at the time. I was assured in response to my questions in June 2018, that in conjunction with Cork University Hospital, the South/South West hospital group was to appoint two additional cardiologists, split between the two hospitals, and the ratio was to be 75:25, which would effectively result in one and a half cardiologists for University Hospital Kerry, which would allow it to function as the level 3 hospital that it is. We are now into April 2019 and as of yet, we do not have those two positions.

Concern is growing about funding being diverted to the national children's hospital and spending being withheld until we see the downsides of Brexit. Conspiracy theories are emerging because the action that was promised almost a year ago has still not been delivered. Coupled with that, the coronary care unit in the hospital, which is a nine-bed room, is stretched to the limit. There are no facilities for proper consultation among staff or for carers and family members of patients. That sends out a message that there is no genuine desire to provide the type of cardiology services that are needed for a category 3, 24-7 hospital.

Can the Minister of State confirm that funding for the provision of two cardiologists shared on a 75:25 basis with Cork University Hospital is ring-fenced and that those cardiologists will be in place in a very short time, allowing the hospital to then plan for its future as a category 3 facility? Without such assurances, I will be extremely concerned about the hospital's ability to function as it needs to. I remind the Minister of State that such was the concern among the hospital's consultants last year when this issue arose, among many other issues, that every single one of them took the unprecedented step of writing to the South/South West hospital group requesting immediate action on the shortfalls in key positions, including cardiology, respiratory consultancy and emergency room consultancy. I look forward to the Minister of State's response and hope it gives me the reassurance that I and the hospital need.

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