Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister will be aware I have raised in the House over a long period the issue of the downgrading of University Hospital Kerry, which is based in Tralee. I have studied very closely the decisions that have been taken by HSE South and I see it as being a power play by the HSE in Cork to downgrade our services in Kerry and centralise everything in Cork. It has been happening. It is happening. I know the Minister is not going to admit it but the fact is that this is what is happening. This walk-in service, which was essential, is being taken away from us. We are being hammered left, right and centre in that hospital, where we have an excellent manager and excellent staff. The people who are working in the hospital are doing their level best but they are getting no help whatsoever. There is a real and serious power play to downgrade our hospital and make it nothing more than a glorified community hospital. I and the other public representatives do not want that to happen and we will not let it happen on our watch.

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