Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

We all know that, no matter where you live geographically, there are pros and cons that affect your quality of life. We can have priorities like living close to family or remaining where we were born and reared. Perhaps you visited a place and fell in love with the scenery and people. In any case, you will need to access to the basic human requirements of air, food and shelter where you live. However, without access to the health service, many who have chronic ailments that require regular treatment with modern equipment under the supervision of a health professional simply will not survive. I propose that, as a matter of priority, the two stunning peninsulas of Corca Dhuibhne and Uíbh Ráthach, Dingle and Iveragh, in County Kerry be used for a pilot study or research vehicle into all aspects of the health service being delivered to their residents. I call for this pilot study to be initiated in Kerry, which has issues, so that it can be used as an educational tool that could be rolled out to similarly remote areas all over Ireland. I foresee this project identifying the reasons it is so difficult to attract staff to these areas given that it is cheaper to live there.

We should clarify why all areas throughout these regions are struggling to receive adequate health services, including mental health services, day care, primary care, respite services and palliative care and have difficulty in keeping hospital beds open in the community hospitals in both Cahersiveen and Dingle. Dingle hospital, or West Kerry Community Hospital as it is known to many, opened in 2010 and, to this day, it has never been fully operational. There are ongoing campaigns to get these beds open. Meanwhile, patients from the region are being placed in places such as Kenmare Community Hospital, which is a five-hour round trip. This is absolutely ridiculous. The town of Cahersiveen does not even have a primary care centre. This is a huge issue for the entire peninsula. Many residents in Iveragh are up to 100 km from the accident and emergency department at University Hospital Kerry. Why is it so difficult to get staff to these community hospitals for our mental health services, ambulance services and so on?

Residents of these peninsulas have to travel long distances to receive the standard of service they deserve. That is discriminatory to many of them. They regularly have to utilise the health facilities in University Hospital Kerry in Tralee or those in Cork city. For some, this could entail a round trip of up to 340 km. They also regularly have to utilise the health facilities in Limerick hospital and in hospitals further afield. This can take its toll on patients physically, mentally and financially. In an era when we are striving to reduce greenhouse gases, it also has a large impact on the environment.

Health hubs and centres of excellence play a big part in the delivery of health services in Ireland. I accept that this may be best practice but I am a firm believer in researching other delivery options. The health services in remote areas pilot scheme I am proposing would investigate a hybrid model that could be amalgamated with the present system to improve the lifestyle and health of all our residents. As the Minister of State will know, some areas of our country, particularly along the western seaboard, are really remote and accessed mainly by narrow winding roads. That is part and parcel of their charm and beauty, but many old, young and debilitated patients need to be constantly ferried to and from hospital appointments, which sometimes takes its toll on the entire family. This pilot scheme in the Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas might provide a window into solutions, big or small, that could help ease stress in many families throughout rural Ireland.

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